Geologic Time and Major Eras

The video tutorial guides students through understanding Earth's history by examining geologic time, fossil records, and the evolution of life forms across different eras. It covers the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, highlighting key developments and extinctions. Students are instructed to complete charts on pages 8 and 9 of their notebooks, detailing eras, periods, and life forms, and are encouraged to prepare for a class discussion.

What do scientists use to create the fossil record?

• Geological surveys

• Discovered fossils

• Satellite images

• Chemical analysis

Which era is known as the earliest on record?

• Precambrian

• Cenozoic

• Mesozoic

• Paleozoic

During which era did trilobites and fish first appear?

• Mesozoic

• Paleozoic

• Cenozoic

• Precambrian

What major event marked the end of the Paleozoic era?

• Formation of the first oceans

• Rise of mammals

• Mass extinction of marine invertebrates

• Appearance of flowering plants

Which era is known for the appearance of dinosaurs?

• Cenozoic

• Precambrian

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

What significant event ended the Mesozoic era?

• Development of complex plants

• Mass extinction of dinosaurs

• Formation of the first continents

• Appearance of the first humans

Which era includes the appearance of humans?

• Mesozoic

• Paleozoic

• Precambrian

• Cenozoic

What is the largest measure of time in geologic history?

• Eon

• Era

• Period

• Epoch

Which period is part of the Mesozoic era?

• Quaternary

• Jurassic

• Cambrian

• Devonian

How many millions of years ago did the Cenozoic era begin?

• 200 million years ago

• 65 million years ago

• 570 million years ago

• 245 million years ago