Evolutionary/Geological Timeline Events
Time (mya)
Event
4600
Formation of the Earth
4300
Ozone layer
4300
First minerals crystallize
3800
Earth’s crust solidifies (oldest rocks formed)
3800
Condensation of atmospheric water into oceans
3500-2800
Beginning of photosynthesis by blue-green algae releases
oxygen into atmosphere
1500
Eukaryotic cell organisms develop
1000
Rise of multicellular organisms
650
Soft-bodied animals
550
Formation of Gondwana
545
Explosion of hard-bodied organisms
530
Rise of the fish-first vertebrates
435
Free oxygen at present levels
430
Waxy coated algae begin to live on land – first land plants
420
Millipedes have evolved-first land animals
375
Appalachian mountains form (N. America, Africa and
Europe collide)
375
Appearance of primitive sharks
350-300
Rise of the amphibians
350
Primitive insects evolve
350
Primitive ferns evolve (first plants with roots)
350
Extensive coal deposits
300-200
Rise of the reptiles
300
Winged insects evolve
290
Pangaea forms
280
Beetles evolve
235
Dinosaurs exist
230
Roaches and termites evolve
225
Bees evolve
200
Pangaea starts to break apart
200
Crocodiles evolve
200
Appearance of mammals
145
Archaeopteryx walks the Earth
136
Kangaroos evolve
135
Flowering plants evolve
100
Primitive cranes (birds) evolve
90
Modern sharks evolve
70
Formation of the Rocky Mountains
65
Extinction of dinosaurs
60
Rats, mice and squirrels evolve
60
Herons and storks evolve
55
Formation of the Himalayan Mountains
55
Rabbits evolve
50
Primitive monkeys evolve
28
Koalas evolve
20
Parrots and pigeons evolve
20-12
Chimpanzee and hominid lines evolve
4
Hominid bipedalism develops
3.5
Lucy (A. afarensis) walks the Earth
2
Widespread use of tools
2
Most recent ice age begins
1.6
Homo erectus exist
1
Homo erectus tames fire
200,000 ya
Homo sapiens neanderthalensis exist
50,000 ya
Homo sapien sapiens exist
12,000 ya
Humans domesticate the dog
10,000 ya
First permanent H. sapien settlements
10,000 ya
H. sapiens learn to use fire to make tools
6,000 ya
Writing is developed
4,600 ya
Oldest know Bristlecone Pine tree starts to grow
Evolutionary/Geological Timeline Events
Time (mya)
Event
4600
Formation of the Earth
4300
Ozone layer
4300
First minerals crystallize
3800
Earth’s crust solidifies (oldest rocks formed)
3800
Condensation of atmospheric water into oceans
3500-2800
Beginning of photosynthesis by blue-green algae releases
oxygen into atmosphere
1500
Eukaryotic cell organisms develop
1000
Rise of multicellular organisms
650
Soft-bodied animals
550
Formation of Gondwana
545
Explosion of hard-bodied organisms
530
Rise of the fish-first vertebrates
435
Free oxygen at present levels
430
Waxy coated algae begin to live on land – first land plants
420
Millipedes have evolved-first land animals
375
Appalachian mountains form (N. America, Africa and
Europe collide)
375
Appearance of primitive sharks
350-300
Rise of the amphibians
350
Primitive insects evolve
350
Primitive ferns evolve (first plants with roots)
350
Extensive coal deposits
300-200
Rise of the reptiles
300
Winged insects evolve
290
Pangaea forms
280
Beetles evolve
235
Dinosaurs exist
230
Roaches and termites evolve
225
Bees evolve
200
Pangaea starts to break apart
200
Crocodiles evolve
200
Appearance of mammals
145
Archaeopteryx walks the Earth
136
Kangaroos evolve
135
Flowering plants evolve
100
Primitive cranes (birds) evolve
90
Modern sharks evolve
70
Formation of the Rocky Mountains
65
Extinction of dinosaurs
60
Rats, mice and squirrels evolve
60
Herons and storks evolve
55
Formation of the Himalayan Mountains
55
Rabbits evolve
50
Primitive monkeys evolve
28
Koalas evolve
20
Parrots and pigeons evolve
20-12
Chimpanzee and hominid lines evolve
4
Hominid bipedalism develops
3.5
Lucy (A. afarensis) walks the Earth
2
Widespread use of tools
2
Most recent ice age begins
1.6
Homo erectus exist
1
Homo erectus tames fire
200,000 ya
Homo sapiens neanderthalensis exist
50,000 ya
Homo sapien sapiens exist
12,000 ya
Humans domesticate the dog
10,000 ya
First permanent H. sapien settlements
10,000 ya
H. sapiens learn to use fire to make tools
6,000 ya
Writing is developed
4,600 ya
Oldest know Bristlecone Pine tree starts to grow