May 1, 2024
3 minute read
**Geological Time** is a fundamental concept in geology that describes the vast expanse of time over which the Earth and its life forms have evolved. The study of Geological Time provides a framework for understanding the history and evolution of our planet, from its formation to the present day. It allows scientists to place geological events and processes in their proper chronological order and determine the relative ages of different rock formations and fossils.
Subdivisions of Geological Time
Geological Time is divided into several major subdivisions based on significant events or changes in Earth's history. The largest subdivision is the **eons**, followed by **eras**, **periods**, **epochs**, and **ages**. Eons are the longest division of Geological Time, spanning billions of years. Each eon is further subdivided into eras, which typically last for hundreds of millions of years. Eras are then divided into periods, which range from tens to hundreds of millions of years. Periods are further divided into epochs, which typically last for millions of years, and epochs are divided into ages, the smallest subdivision of Geological Time.
Relative and Absolute Dating
Geologists use two primary methods to determine the age of rocks and fossils: relative dating and absolute dating. **Relative dating** determines the order in which geological events occurred, while **absolute dating** provides numerical ages for geological events or materials.
Relative dating techniques include:
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Reading list
We've selected nine books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Geological Time.
Explores the history of the discovery of geological time, and the role that metaphors and myths have played in shaping our understanding of the past. It is written by one of the most influential geologists of the 20th century, and must-read for anyone interested in the history of science.
A straight forward and compact book on the geologic time scale with well-explained, detailed diagrams. Provides a solid foundation for further research in the field..
Provides a comprehensive overview of geological time in German.
Provides a comprehensive overview of geological time in French.
Provides a clear and concise overview of the evidence for evolution, as revealed by the fossil record. It is written by an expert in the field and is suitable for a wide range of readers.
Provides a personal and poetic exploration of geological time, and the ways in which it has shaped our planet and our lives. It is written by a science writer and broadcaster, and is suitable for a wide range of readers.
Explores the greatest mass extinction in Earth's history, which occurred at the end of the Permian period. It is written by an expert in the field and is suitable for a wide range of readers.
Explores the history of mass extinctions, and the ways in which they have shaped the evolution of life on Earth. It is written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and is suitable for a wide range of readers.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the history of life on Earth, from its origins to the present day. It is written by an expert in the field and is suitable for a wide range of readers.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/jjfmfe/geological
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