Understanding Geological Time - A Webquest
Go to http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html
To check out the organization of the site before starting – explore the navigation
bars and read the history of the geologic time scale.
Precambrian Eon:
A) What fraction of time does this eon represent?
B) What analogy can be used to describe the amount of time humans have
been on the earth?
C) Why is Hadean time not really considered as geological time? Explain.
D) Follow the link to the Archaean to stromatolites – what are they? Describe
in detail…importance to earth’s evolution as well.
E) List four important “firsts” of the Proterozoic era.
Phanerozoic Eon:
For each of the following periods of the Paleozoic era, (Cambrian, Ordovician,
Silurian, Carboniferous, Permian) summarize the required information in a chart.
You need 3 columns, for General Stratigraphy, Major Landforms/Rock
Formations (Tectonics), and Fossils (main types) – ie what is developing or dying
off? Identify a KEY word or phrase that you feel best describes the most
important characteristic of the period for each section.
Note – also answer the following as you go through the period:
1. Devonian: note the brachiopods link…What are brachiopods and what are
some of their characteristics?
2. Carboniferous: note the tetrapods link… What are tetrapods and what are
some of their characteristics?
3. Permian: note gymnosperms link… What are gymnosperms and what are
some of their characteristics?
Mesozoic Era
For each of the three periods, identify and list two key characteristics/events
which help to define the period.
Cenozoic Era
What are some of the significant developments during this era? List
What are three characteristics of the Holocene epoch? List.
T Webb, Horton High School, Wolfville, NS