Geological timescale Flashcards
Approximately how old is the Earth / When does the Pre-Cambrian era begin?
4500 Ma
or 4.5 Billion
What is the approximate time frame of the Pre-Cambrian?
4500 Ma to 542 Ma
What is the approximate timeframe of the Palaeozoic era?
542 Ma to 251 Ma
Which era follows the Pre-Cambrian?
Palaeozoic
In order, what periods sub-divide the Palaeozoic era?
Cambrian
Ordovician
Silurian
Devonian
Carboniferous
Permian
What era follows the Palaeozoic?
Mesozoic
In order, what periods sub-divide the Mesozoic era?
Triassic
Jurassic
Cretaceous
What is the approximate time-frame of the Mesozoic era?
251 Ma to 65.5 Ma
What era follows the Mesozoic?
Cenozoic
What is the approximate timeframe of the Cenozoic era?
65.5 Ma to present*
In order, which periods sub-divide the Cenozoic era?
Paleogene
Neogene
Quaternary
What are the four main eras in order?
Pre-Cambrian
Palaeozoic
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
What is the mnemonic for remembering the order of the periods up to the Cenozoic?
Camels Often Sit down Carefully Perhaps Their Joints Creak
What epochs divide the Cenozoic?
Palaeocene
Eocene
Oligocene
Miocene
Pliocene
Pleistocene
What is the mnemonic for remembering the Cenozoic epochs?
Perhaps Early Oiling May Prevent Pain + H*