Geologic Time

Geologic Timeline

notes on a chalkboardA lot has happened in 4.6 billion years! Now that you have explored geologic time, you will create a timeline that illustrates many of the major events that paleontologists use to divide Earth’s history. In the table below, you will find fourteen different events listed. You should organize the events in chronological order on your timeline. Each event should include a short description, an appropriate date in millions of years, and an appropriate label and image that corresponds to each event.

Since this is your interpretation of these events, be creative and make sure to illustrate the different events accordingly. You can design your timeline horizontally, vertically, or in another format, as long as it is well-organized.

Your timeline should include the following events:

  • Oldest rocks
  • Oldest fossilized cells
  • Trilobites
  • First fish
  • First amphibians
  • First reptiles
  • First birds
  • First plants
  • Dinosaurs
  • First insects
  • First mammals
  • First grasses
  • Humans
  • Mass extinctions

Before you begin, access the Geologic Timeline Checklist so that you understand how your assignment will be graded. You may need to use resources outside of this course to complete this assignment, so please submit a Works Cited document. If you need assistance, visit the Developmental Module for information on citing any resources that you used.

Options to create your timeline include the following:

  • Hand-draw the assignment and then take a picture of it for submission to the assignment’s dropbox.
  • Hand-draw the assignment and then scan it for submission to the assignment’s dropbox.
  • Create a new file in a paint or graphics program and utilize the software to create the images. You can then submit your work to the assignment’s dropbox.
  • Use a mobile or computer-based application to create your timeline and email or export the final product for submission to the assignment’s dropbox.

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Once you have completed your timeline, please submit your work to the dropbox.