Geologic Time Scale Notes.Pptx
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Geologic Time Scale Lesson 4 Essential Question Learning Objective: Explain how geologists use the geologic time scale to divide Earth’s history. Standard: Evidence of the dynamic changes of Earth’s surface through time is found in geologic record. Divide Your Parents Lives? Divide your parents life into sections!!! You must include at least 5 different sections. Write them down and then share with your neighbor and discuss how they divided their parents life. 2 Types of Change Catastrophism: principle that states that all geologic change occurs suddenly Early Scientists beliefs – all things formed during a rapid change Ex. – Volcanic Eruptions Uniformitarianism – the present is the key to the past James Hutton studied rock formation in Scotland His findings led to the foundation of modern geology Uniformitarianism The process that we observe today, such as erosion and deposition, does not change over time. This idea states that the same geologic processes that shape Earth today have been at work throughout Earth’s history. The average rate of geologic change is slow and has remained relatively slow over time Geologic Time Scale Earth is 4.6 Billion Years Old Scientists use the geologic time scale to make sense of the amount of time. Geologic Time Scale – divides the Earth’s history into intervals of time defined by major events or changes But Why would we want to do that? Geologic Time Scale Geologic History Eons (Largest Unit) Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic Precambrian – Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic (90% of Earth’s History) Eras Phanerozoic (3 Era’s: Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic) Periods Epochs - (Smallest Unit) Fossil Record 5 divisions of geologic time have ended in large mass extinction events Ex. – 250 Million Years ago largest extinction ever known (90% Marine and 70% Land) Causes of Extinctions vary. Movement of continents? Lowering of global sea level Rapid climate change Asteroid impacts Precambrian Time Outlined Began with the formation of Earth 4.5 to 3.6 BYA Earth formed Oblate Spheroid Tectonic Activity Began Atmosphere was forming Water vapor was added to atmosphere Cyanobacteria began releasing Oxygen Earth’s Land Surfaces were located near the poles and covered in ice. Paleozoic Era Began 540 million Years Ago Formation of Pangaea began Sea Level Dropped Pangaea drifted away from the South Pole All life was in the Oceans Era ended 250 MYA with Mass Extinction Mesozoic Era Began 250 MYA Breakup of Pangaea Mid Ocean Ridge Began to appear Carbon Dioxide was added Domination of Dinosaurs 65 MYA Mass Extinction Thought to be caused by asteroid impact Cenozoic Era Began 65 MYA Greenland Split apart from North America and Europe Final breakup of Pangaea Continents assumed their present positions Himalaya’s were formed Temperature differences became extreme at poles Evolution of Modern Humans Exit Slip One sentence Answer What is the importance of the geologic time scale? .