Name ________________________________________________________________________________________ Period _____
Geologic Time Web Quest
While viewing the links in the Geologic Time Web Quest, use this packet to record your findings.
The Geologic Time Scale:
1. In order from oldest to the present, what are the three eras of the Phanerozoic Eon (from the end of
the Precambrian Eon to the present) of geologic time?
2. In which era do we live?
3. When you were born, which era was it?
4. Which era is known as the "Age of Invertebrates (or Fishes)?"
5. Which era is known as the "Age of the Reptiles (or Dinosaurs)?"
6. Which era is known as the "Age of Mammals?"
7. During which era did the first humans develop? (Hint: humans are mammals)
8. Name the 12 periods of the Phanerozoic Eon on the Geologic Time Scale (shown on this web site), in
order from the oldest to the present.
The Paleozoic Era:
9. When did the Paleozoic Era take place?
10. Where was Africa located during the Paleozoic Era?
11. Earth's greatest mass extinction (that we know about) took place at the end of the Paleozoic Era.
What percent of Earth's species died off?
Mesozoic Era:
12. Did cavemen live during the Mesozoic Era?
When did they show up?
13. How was the climate at the North and South Poles different during the Mesozoic Era than it is today??
14. How did the Mesozoic end?
the Mesozoic Era.
List three hypotheses which may explain what happened at the end of
15. The three periods in the Mesozoic Era are the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic. Choose one to
answer questions 16,17,18.
What period did you choose?
16. When did this period take place?
17. Name five living things from this period. (your list can include plants, animals, or a combination of
both)
18. Where have fossils from this period been found? (localities)
The Cenozoic Era:
19. Identify the time period covered by the Cenozoic.
20. Describe what had happened during the Cenozoic in terms of:
a. Continents
b. Climate
c. Animals
d. Humanity
The Precambrian Eon:
21. About how much of Earth's history took place during the Precambrian Eon?
22. List the eras of the Precambrian Eon in order from the oldest.
23. During which era was the Earth covered with liquid rock?
24. What was the only life form that existed during the Archaean Era?
25. How did the Earth’s atmosphere change during the Proterozoic Era and before the end of the
Precambrian Eon?