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8-2.4 Recognize the relationship among the unitsera, epoch, and periodinto which the geologic time scale is divided. 8-2.5 Illustrate the vast diversity of life that has been present on Earth over time by using the geologic time scale. 8-2.2 Summarize how scientists study Earths past environment and diverse lifeforms by examining different types of fossils (including molds, casts, petrified fossils, preserved and carbonized remains of plants and animals, and trace fossils). 8-2.3 Explain how Earths history has been influenced by catastrophes (including the impact of an asteroid or comet, climatic changes, and volcanic activity) that have affected the conditions on Earth and the diversity of its life-forms.
___When you started second grade ___When you were born ___ When you started kindergarten ___When you learned to ride a bike. ___ When you learned to walk. ___ When you learned to read. ___ When you lost your first tooth. ___ Todays date.
FOUR Eras
PRE-CAMBRIAN 88% of earths history Paleozoic (ancient life)
544 million years agolasted 300 million yrs
Today
Today we are in the Holocene Epoch of the Quaternary Period of the Cenozoic Era.
Which unit is the largest? Which unit is the smallest?
Today
Today we are in the Holocene Epoch of the Quaternary Period of the Cenozoic Era.
Which unit is the largest? Which unit is the smallest?
Early land plants including mosses, ferns and cone-bearing plants. The early coal forming forests were also formed during this time.
Paleozoic Era
Much of the limestone quarried for building and industrial purposes, as well as the coal deposits of western Europe and the eastern United States, were formed during the Paleozoic. The Cambrian (beginning) opened with the breakup of the world-continent Rodinia and closed with the formation of Pangaea, as the Earth's continents came together once again. This event is thought to have caused the climate changes that led to mass extinction event. The Appalachian mountains were formed during this time.
Paleozoic Era
At the end of the Paleozoic, the largest mass extinction in history wiped out approximately 90% of all marine animal species and 70% of land animals.
Possible causes of this Mass Extinction Event Lowering of sea levels when the continents were rejoined as Pangaea (convergent boundary) Increased volcanic activity (ash and dust) Climate changes cooler climate
Trilobites
Lived in Earths ancient seas Extinct before the dinosaurs came into existence Cambrian Period is know as the Age of the Trilobites (put in on table)
Brachiopods
Early Fish
Early fish did not have jaws. Some species of sharks were in existence at this time.
Fields Frilled Shark that was found in Japan in January 2007. This shark
fossil
Frilled Shark that was found in Japan in January 2007. This shark was considered a living fossil
Mosses
Ferns
Mesozoic Era
Dinosaurs were also very active in this era.
First small dinosaurs appeared in the Triassic Period. Larger and more abundant dinosaurs appeared in the Jurassic Period.
Mesozoic Era
The main plant life of this time were Gymnosperms or plants that produce seeds, but no flowers.
Pine Trees
Mesozoic Era
This era ended with a mass extinction event about 65 million years ago.
Many groups of animals, including the dinosaurs disappeared suddenly at this time.
Many scientists believe that this event was caused by a comet or asteroid colliding with the Earth.
However, not all forms of life died during this event. Many animals that you see today are descendants from the survivors of this extinction event.
Dinosaurs
Mesozoic Reptiles
Mesozoic Mammals
Mesozoic Plants
Flowering plants evolved towards the end of the Mesozoic Era.
Mammals began to increase and evolve adaptations that allowed them to live in many different environments land, air and the sea.
Grasses increased and provided a food source for grazing animals
Cenozoic Era
Growth of these mountains may have helped to cool down the climate
Ice Ages occurred late in the Cenozoic Era (Quaternary Period).
As the climate changed, the animals had to adapt to the rise and fall of the oceans caused by melting glaciers.
Cenozoic Era
Marine animal examples:
Algae, Mollusks, Fish and Mammals
Cenozoic Mammals