Precambrian Era
Precambrian Era: 4.6 billion - 544 million years ago (MYA)
Precambrian Summary: The era is most known for the event it started with which is the formation of the earth. The claim to fame nickname for the era is the "Big Bang". The Precambrian Era ended with the first mass extinction, the Cambrian Explosion. The Precambrian time period accounts for 7/8 of our planet's history. The first life began during this era. Tectonic plates formed and Eukaryotic cells came into existence. The period ended just as the first multicellular organisms came to life.
GEOLOGIC EVENTS
Precambrian Summary: The era is most known for the event it started with which is the formation of the earth. The claim to fame nickname for the era is the "Big Bang". The Precambrian Era ended with the first mass extinction, the Cambrian Explosion. The Precambrian time period accounts for 7/8 of our planet's history. The first life began during this era. Tectonic plates formed and Eukaryotic cells came into existence. The period ended just as the first multicellular organisms came to life.
GEOLOGIC EVENTS
Earth Formed
4.6 BYA
Earth began as a ball of dust, rock, and ice in space pulled together by gravity. Earth was formed by a solar nebula.
4.6 BYA
Earth began as a ball of dust, rock, and ice in space pulled together by gravity. Earth was formed by a solar nebula.
Oceans Formed
4 BYA
Earth's surface cooled and water vapor turned into rain. Rainwater accumulated to form the oceans.
4 BYA
Earth's surface cooled and water vapor turned into rain. Rainwater accumulated to form the oceans.
Oldest Rock
3.8 BYA
First sedimentary rocks form. Oldest rocks were found in Greenland and the Zircon crystal was found in Australia (4 BYA).
3.8 BYA
First sedimentary rocks form. Oldest rocks were found in Greenland and the Zircon crystal was found in Australia (4 BYA).
DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE EVENTS
Prokaryotic Cell
3.5 BYA
Prokaryotic cells, cells without a nucleus (simple cell), formed during this time period.
Ex. Bacteria
3.5 BYA
Prokaryotic cells, cells without a nucleus (simple cell), formed during this time period.
Ex. Bacteria
Eukaryotic Cell
2 BYA
Eukaryotic cells, cells with a nucleus, were the next single celled organisms to evolve.
Ex. Algae
2 BYA
Eukaryotic cells, cells with a nucleus, were the next single celled organisms to evolve.
Ex. Algae
Jellyfish-like animal (multicellular organisms)
600 MYA
Soft-bodied multicellular organisms develop late in the Precambrian. Very simple multiple eukaryotic cells.
Ex. Sea Sponge
600 MYA
Soft-bodied multicellular organisms develop late in the Precambrian. Very simple multiple eukaryotic cells.
Ex. Sea Sponge
Arthropods
570 MYA
Invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages make an appearance.
Ex. Insects and Crustaceans
570 MYA
Invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages make an appearance.
Ex. Insects and Crustaceans
First Mass Extinction
544 MYA
The first mass extinction killed 80-90% of species. Stromatolites and Arcitarchs were badly affected. Ended the Precambrian Era.
544 MYA
The first mass extinction killed 80-90% of species. Stromatolites and Arcitarchs were badly affected. Ended the Precambrian Era.