GEOLOGIC TIME
SCALE
Relative and Absolute Dating
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED
TO LEARN A THING OR
TWO ABOUT GEOLOGIC
TIME SCALE.
OBJECTIVE:
TO ENHANCE EACH ONES
LISTENING SKILLS.
TIPS:
• ALWAYS LIST DOWN THE
HIGHLIGHTED WORDS,
FOR THEY CAN BE USED
LATER ON.
• LISTEN TO THE GROUP
WHO’S REPORTING
CAREFULLY TO AVOID
ANY CONFUSION.
GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE
The geologic time scale is like Earth's history book. It breaks down the planet's
past into chunks based on important events, starting from when Earth formed
about 4.6 billion years ago. The scale has different sections like eons, eras, and
periods, each highlighting specific changes in geology and life. It's a way to
understand how our planet evolved over time, with major events like mass
extinctions and the rise of complex life marking key moments in this timeline.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE
The geologic time scale, spanning 4.6 billion years, is a vital tool for
understanding Earth's evolution. It organizes geological and biological events,
aiding the study of Earth's history, including the development of life and
significant geological processes. This framework is crucial for stratigraphic
correlation, resource exploration, and deciphering past climates, providing a
concise yet comprehensive guide to our planet's complex past and present.
NICHOLAS STENO
Nicholas Steno, a 17th-century Danish scientist, introduced the
foundational principles of stratigraphy in his work "The
Prodromus." Steno's Law of Stratigraphy comprises three key
principles.
The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary
rocks, the youngest are at the top and the oldest at the bottom.
The Law of Original Horizontality asserts that sedimentary layers
are deposited horizontally.
Law of Lateral Continuity proposes that these layers extend
laterally until thinning out or encountering a barrier.
These principles, formulated in the mid-17th century,
revolutionized geological understanding, providing a systematic
approach to interpreting Earth's history through rock layers and
shaping the field of stratigraphy.
TERMINOLOGIES TO EASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF
“GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE”
• EONS - Eons are the longest and most comprehensive divisions of the geologic time
scale, representing periods of hundreds of millions to billions of years and encompassing
significant geological and biological events.
• ERA - An era is a subdivision of the geologic time scale that is shorter than an eon
but longer than a period, typically spanning hundreds of millions of years and
characterized by distinct geological and biological features.
• PERIOD - A period is a subdivision of geological time in the geologic time scale, representing a
unit of time shorter than an era, typically lasting tens of millions of years and characterized by
specific geological and biological developments.
• EPOCH - An epoch is a subdivision of geological time, smaller than a period, characterized by
specific and identifiable events, developments, or changes in Earth's geology and life forms. Epochs
typically span millions of years and contribute to the detailed organization of the geologic time
scale.
• AGE(MYA) - An age in the context of the geologic time scale, expressed in "MYA" (Million Years
Ago), represents a relatively short and specific interval of time within an epoch, marked by
distinctive geological or biological characteristics or events.
THE TWO EONS
PHANEROZOIC EON PRECAMBRIAN EON
PHANEROZOIC
EON
The Phanerozoic Eon began around 541 million years ago
and continues to the present day.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF PHANEROZOIC EON
Paleozoic Era (541 million to 252 million years ago): This
era witnessed the Cambrian Explosion, a rapid
diversification of life forms. Early marine life, plants, and
insects appeared. The era ends with the Permian-Triassic
extinction event, one of the most significant mass
extinctions in Earth's history.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF PHANEROZOIC EON
Mesozoic Era (252 million to 66 million years ago): Often
called the "Age of Dinosaurs," this era saw the dominance
of reptiles, including dinosaurs. It ended with the
Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, leading to the
extinction of most dinosaurs.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF PHANEROZOIC EON
Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago to the present):
Mammals became the dominant land vertebrates, and the
evolution of primates, including humans, occurred during
this era. It is further divided into the Paleogene, Neogene,
and Quaternary periods.
PRECAMBRIAN
EON
The Precambrian Eon spans an immense period,
covering about 4.6 billion years ago to
approximately 541 million years ago.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF PRECAMBRIAN EON
Hadean Era (4.6 billion to 4 billion years ago): This marks
the early period of Earth's formation when it was still in
the process of accreting from cosmic debris. It was
characterized by intense heat and frequent collisions with
celestial bodies.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF PRECAMBRIAN EON
Archean Era (4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago): During
this period, Earth's surface began to cool, and the first
continents and oceans formed. Early life, in the form of
simple microorganisms, also appeared.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF PRECAMBRIAN EON
Proterozoic Era (2.5 billion to 541 million years ago):
Oxygen levels increased, leading to the development of
more complex life forms. Eukaryotic cells and multicellular
organisms evolved during this time.
REVIEW YOUR LISTED ITEMS FOR 2
MINUTES, FOR US TO PROCEED WITH
(Y)OUR ACTIVITY.
INSTRUCTION: Fill the blanks with the right answer, double check
your answers!
________1. It is like the Earth's history book. It breaks down the planet's past into chunks based on
Important events, starting from when Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago.
________2. A 17th-century Danish scientist introduced the foundational principles of stratigraphy in
his work "The Prodromus."
________3. States that in undisturbed sedimentary rocks, the youngest are at the top and the oldest
at the bottom.
________4. Asserts that sedimentary layers are deposited horizontally.
________5. Proposes that these layers extend laterally until thinning out or encountering a barrier.
________6. Are the longest and most comprehensive divisions of the geologic time scale, representing
periods of hundreds of millions to billions of years and encompassing significant geological and
biological events.
________7. Spanning hundreds of millions of years and characterized by distinct geological and
biological features.
________8. A period is a subdivision of geological time in the geologic time scale, representing a unit
of time shorter than an ___, typically lasting tens of millions of years and characterized by specific
geological and biological developments.
________9. An ____ is a subdivision of geological time, smaller than a ____, characterized by specific
and identifiable events, developments, or changes in Earth's geology and life forms. _____ typically
spans millions of years and contributes to the detailed organization of the geologic time scale.
________10. An ___ in the context of the geologic time scale, expressed in "MYA" (Million Years Ago), represents a
relatively short and specific interval of time within an ____, marked by distinctive geological or biological characteristics or
events.
_____11. An eon that began around 541 million years ago and continues to the present
day.
_____12. An eon that started about 4.6 billion years ago to approximately 541 million
years ago.
TEST 2.
FOR THE ITEMS 13-18,
LIST ALL THE MAJOR
DIVISIONS OF THE TWO
EONS THAT WAS
DISCUSSED.
THANK YOU FOR COOPERATING!