Geologic Timescales and Ice Cores

Front

How old do Paleontologists believe the Earth is?

Back

4.6 billion years old

Front

What are smaller chunks of time that periods are broken into called?

Back

Epochs

Front

Which Era occurred last (most recent)?

Back

Cenozoic

Front

What major changes or events divide the geologic time scale?

Back

Mass extinctions

Front

What does the Geologic Time Scale record?

Back

The known history of rocks and fossils

Front

What is the largest division of geologic time?

Back

Eon

Front

What is the current Eon called?

Back

Phanerozoic

Front

What is the significance of ice cores in studying climate history?

Back

They provide records of past atmospheric conditions and temperatures.

Front

What are the three main eras of the Phanerozoic Eon?

Back

Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Front

What is a mass extinction?

Back

A significant and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth.