Geologic Timeline

Agenda • Geologic Timeline

• Evolution of the Geologic Timescale

• Division of the Timescale

• Earth's Key Events

• Geologic Column
• Application of the Geo-Timeline

• Limitations and Criticisms

 Geologic Timeline
The Geologic Time Scale is a system used by scientists to describe the
timing and relationships between events in Earth’s history. It covers a vast
expanse of time, from the formation of the planet nearly 4.6 billion years
ago to the present day.

One of the key concepts of the Geologic Time Scale is the division of time
into units of varying lengths. The largest unit is the eon, which is further
divided into smaller units such as eras, periods, and epochs.
 History

Nicolaus Steno Giovanni Arduino William Smith

 Evolution
• In 1830, English • In the late 19th • Today, the Geologic • In recent years,
geologist William and early 20th Time Scale is divided scientists have
Smith published a centuries, into four main eons: proposed adding
geological map of scientists began the Hadean, Archean, a new unit of
England that showed to use Proterozoic, and time called the
the distribution of radiometric Phanerozoic. The Anthropocene,
rock layers and the dating techniques Phanerozoic eon, which would
fossils found within to determine the which began about represent the
them. This was the age of rocks.
Elaborate on what
541 million years ago, period of Earth's
first time that rock youThis
wantallowed
to discuss. is further divided into history during
layers had been them to assign three eras: the which human
mapped in such absolute ages to Paleozoic, Mesozoic, activities have
detail, and it was a the various and Cenozoic. Each had a significant
major step forward in periods and era is then divided impact on the
the development of epochs of the into periods, which planet's geology
the Geologic Time Geologic Time are further divided and ecosystems.
 Division
• The Geologic Time Scale
categorizes Earth's history into
progressively smaller units of • The two eons in the
time: eons, eras, periods, and Geologic Time Scale are the
epochs. Each unit is marked by Precambrian eon and the
significant events and changes in
the planet's history, such as the
Phanerozoic eon.
formation of Earth, the
emergence of life, and mass
extinctions. This system allows
scientists to better understand the
history of Earth and the
evolution of life on our planet.
 Precambrian Eon

• The Precambrian eon covers the

first four billion years of Earth’s
history and is divided into three
eras: the Hadean, Archean, and
Proterozoic.
 Phanerozoic Eon

• The Phanerozoic eon, which

began 541 million years ago, is
the eon during which life has
been visible and abundant on
Earth. It is divided into three
eras: the Paleozoic, Mesozoic,
 Key Events
Formation of Earth (4.6 billion years ago): This marks the beginning of
Earth's history. The exact date of Earth's formation is still debated, but
scientists believe it occurred around 4.6 billion years ago.
 Hadeon Eon
Hadean Eon (4.6 - 4 billion years ago): This is the earliest eon in Earth's
history, and it is named after the Greek god of the underworld, Hades.
During this time, Earth was bombarded by asteroids and comets, and the
surface was hot and molten.
 Archeon Eon
Archean Eon (4 - 2.5 billion years ago): During the Archean Eon, the first
signs of life appeared on Earth. The atmosphere was primarily composed of
carbon dioxide and methane, and there were no continents.
 Pretorozoic Eon
Proterozoic Eon (2.5 billion - 541 million years ago): During the
Proterozoic Eon, the first multicellular organisms appeared, and oxygen
levels in the atmosphere began to rise. The first supercontinent, Rodinia,
formed during this time.
 Paleozoic Era
Paleozoic Era (541 - 252 million years ago): The Paleozoic Era is often
called the "Age of Invertebrates" because of the abundant and diverse
marine invertebrate life that existed during this time. The first vertebrates
also appeared during this era, as well as the first land plants. The Paleozoic
Era ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, the Permian-
Triassic extinction event.
 Mesozoic Era
Mesozoic Era (252 - 66 million years ago): The Mesozoic Era is often
called the "Age of Reptiles" because of the dominant reptilian life that
existed during this time, including dinosaurs. The first mammals and birds
also appeared during this era. The Mesozoic Era ended with the extinction
of the dinosaurs, which is believed to have been caused by a large asteroid
impact.
 Cenozoic Era
Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago - present): The Cenozoic Era is the
current era, and it is often called the "Age of Mammals" because of the
diverse and abundant mammalian life that has existed during this time.
Humans also evolved during this era. The Cenozoic Era is divided into two
periods, the Paleogene and Neogene, which are further divided into epochs.
Geologic
Column
 Application
• Age dating of rocks and
fossils
• Correlationon of Rock Strata
• Resource Exploration
• Climate Change Studies
• Evolutionary Biology
• Archaeology
Limitations and
Comparison
• Incomplete Fossil
Record
• Assumption about the
rate of change
• Datin Techniques
• Conflicting
Interpretations
• Controversies
Thank you
for listening!