A Walk Through Geological Time

Directions: 1. Complete your time table by visiting each of the 8 stations. 2.You will have 3 minutes at each station to examine the items and information sheets. 3.Draw pictures of key organisms (2-3) for each era. 4.Use the highlighters/ pencils to color code your time table.

Your 3 minute timing will be done using the “Era” Song! When the song ends each time, you will have to move on to the next station, so use your time well!

Precambian Biological: 1. Cyanobacteria 2. Ediacaran organisms 3. bacteria-like organisms Geological: Oxygen and ozone in atmosphere

Precambian 2. Ediacaran organisms

Paleozoic 7. Trilobites, brachiopods, marine invertebrates abundant Trilobytes Brachiopods Invertebrates

Paleozoic 4. Fish dominant 6. First fish appear

Paleozoic 5. First land plants & insects appear

Paleozoic 1. Reptiles evolve 2. Amphibians dominant 3. Amphibians appear Early reptiles Amphibians

Paleozoic Geological Events: Coal swamps form Shallow seas begin to withdraw Appalachian Mountains form

Mesozoic 4. Mammals first appear

Mesozoic 1. Angiosperms appear 2. Birds first appear 3. Dinosaurs are dominant

Mesozoic Geological Events: Rocky Mountains Atlantic & Pacific Oceans forming Pangea breaks up

Cenozoic 1. Mammals are abundant 2. Angiosperms dominant

Cenozoic Geological Events: Alps & Himalayas begin to rise

Answer Key DatesBiological EventsGeological Events 66 mya – present Cenozoic Era 1. Mammals are abundant 2. Angiosperms dominant Alps & Himalayas begin to rise Dinosaur Great Extinction 250 mya – 66 mya Mesozoic Era 1. Angiosperms appear 2. Birds first appear 3. Dinosaurs are dominant 4. Mammals first appear Rocky Mountains Atlantic & Pacific Oceans forming Pangea breaks up Mass Extinction 540 mya – 250 mya Paleozoic Era 1. Reptiles evolve 2. Amphibians dominant 3. Amphibians appear 4. Fish dominant 5. First land plants & insects appear 6. First fish appear 7. Trilobites, brachiopods, marine invertebrates abundant Coal swamps form Shallow seas begin to withdraw Appalachian Mountains form 4600 mya – 250 mya Precambrian Era 1.Cyanobacteria 2.Ediacaran organisms 3. bacteria-like organisms Oxygen and ozone in atmosphere