The Book of Days

Geological Time Line - Sources - Updates

 

27,800,000 BP:  A major eruption of a caldera forms the Fish Canyon Tuff, in the San Juan Mountains of what will become Colorado.  October 25, 2005  

Geological Time Line

Hadean Eon (4.5 to 3.8 billion years ago)

  • Cryptic Era (4.56 to 4.15 billion years ago)
  • Basin Groups 1-9 Era (4.15 to 3.95 billion years ago)
  • Nectarian Era (3.95 to 3.85 billion years ago)
  • Early Imbrian Era (3.85 to 3.8 billion years ago)

Archean Eon (4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago)

  • Eoarchean Era (4.6 to 3.6 billion years ago)
  • Paleoarchean Era (3.6 to 3.2 billion years ago)
  • Mesoarchean Era (3.2 to 2.8 billion years ago)
  • Neoarchean Era (2.8 to 2.5 billion years ago)

Proterozoic Eon (2.5 to 542 million years ago)

  • Paleoproterozoic Era (2.5 to 1.6 billion years ago)
    • Siderian Period (2.5 to 2.3 billion years ago)
    • Rhyacian Period (2.3 to 2.05 billion years ago)
    • Orosirian Period (2.05 to 1.8 billion years ago)
    • Statherian Period (1.8 to 1.6 billion years ago)
  • Mesoproterozoic Era (1.6 to 1.0 billion years ago)
    • Calymmian Period (1.6 to 1.4 billion years ago)
    • Ectasian Period (1.4 to 1.2 billion years ago)
    • Stenian Period (1.2 to 1.0 billion years ago)
  • Neoproterozoic Era (1.0 to 542 million years ago)
    • Tonian Period (1.0 to 850 million years ago)
    • Cryogenian Period (850 to 600 million years ago)
    • Ediacaran Period (600 to 542 million years ago)

Phanerozoic Eon (542 million years ago to Present)

  • Paleozoic Era (542 to 251.4 million years ago)
    • Cambrian Period (542 to 488 million years ago)
      • Early Cambrian Epoch (542 to 513 million years ago)
        • Manykaian Age (542 to 534 million years ago)
        • Tommotian Age (534 to 530 million years ago)
        • Atdabanian Age (530 to 524 million years ago)
        • Botomian Age (524 to 519 million years ago)
        • Toyonian Age (519 to 513 million years ago)
      • Middle Cambrian Epoch (513 to 501 million years ago)
        • Amgan Age (513 to 502 million years ago)
        • Menevian Age (502 to 501 million years ago)
      • Furongian Epoch (501 to 488.3 million years ago)
        • Maentwrogian Age (501 to 497 million years ago)
        • Dolgellian Age (497 to 488.3 million years ago)
    • Ordovician Period (488.3 to 444 million years ago)
      • Early Ordovician Epoch (488.3 to 472 million years ago)
        • Tremadoc Age (488.3 to 485 million years ago)
        • Arenig Age (485 to 472 million years ago)
      • Middle Ordovician Epoch (472 to 461 million years ago)
        • Llanvirn Age (472 to 468 million years ago)
        • Darriwilian Age (468 to 461 million years ago)
      • Late Ordovician Epoch (461 to 444 million years ago)
        • Ordovician V Age (461 to 456 million years ago)
        • Ordovician VI Age (456 to 446 million years ago)
        • Hirnantian Age (446 to 444 million years ago)
    • Silurian Period (444 to 417 million years ago)
      • Llandovery Epoch (444 to 428 million years ago)
        • Rhuddanian Age (444 to 436.9 million years ago)
        • Aeronian Age (436.9 to 432.6 million years ago)
        • Telychian Age (432 to 428 million years ago)
      • Wenlock Epoch (428 to 423 million years ago)
        • Sheinwoodian Age (428 to 426.1 million years ago)
        • Whitwellian Age (426.1 to 425.4 million years ago)
        • Gleedonian Age (425.4 to 423 million years ago)
      • Ludlow Epoch (423 to 419 million years ago)
        • Gorstian Age (423 to 420 million years ago)
        • Ludfordian Age (420 to 419 million years ago)
      • Pridoli Epoch (419 to 417 million years ago)
    • Devonian Period (417 to 359 million years ago)
      • Early Devonian Epoch (417 to 398 million years ago)
        • Lochkovian Age (417 to 411 million years ago)
        • Pragian Age (411 to 400 million years ago)
        • Emsian Age (400 to 398 million years ago)
      • Middle Devonian Epoch (398 to 385 million years ago)
        • Eifelian Age (398 to 392 million years ago)
        • Givetian Age (392 to 385 million years ago)
      • Late Devonian Epoch (385 to 359 million years ago)
        • Frasnian Age (385 to 375 million years ago)
        • Famennian Age (375 to 359 million years ago)
    • Carboniferous Period (359 to 299 million years ago)
      • Mississippian Epoch (359 to 320 million years ago)
        • Tournaisian Age (359 to 342 million years ago)
        • Viséan Age (342 to 327 million years ago)
        • Serpukhovian Age (327 to 320 million years ago)
      • Pennsylvanian Epoch (320 to 292 million years ago)
        • Bashkirian Age (320 to 312 million years ago)
        • Moscovian Age (312 to 303 million years ago)
        • Kasimovian Age (303 to 295.1 million years ago)
        • Gzelian Age (295.1 to 292 million years ago)
    • Permian Period (292 to 251.4 million years ago)
      • Uralian Epoch (292 to 283 million years ago)
        • Asselian Age (292 to 288.5 million years ago)
        • Sakmarian Age (288.5 to 283 million years ago)
      • Chihsian Epoch (283 to 269 million years ago)
        • Artinskian Age (283 to 277 million years ago)
        • Kungurian Age (277 to 269 million years ago)
      • Guadalupian Epoch (269 to 260 million years ago)
        • Roadian Age (269 to 267 million years ago)
        • Wordian Age (267 to 265 million years ago)
        • Capitanian Age (265 to 260 million years ago)
      • Lopingian Epoch (260 to 251.4 million years ago)
        • Wuchiapingian Age (260 to 253.4 million years ago)
        • Changshingian Age (253.4 to 251.4 million years ago)
  • Mesozoic Era (251.4 to 65.5 million years ago)
    • Triassic Period (251.4 to 205 million years ago)
      • Early Triassic Epoch (251.4 to 242 million years ago)
        • Griesbachian Age (251.4 to 245 million years ago)
        • Nammalian Age (245 to 243.4 million years ago)
        • Spathian Age (243.4 to 242 million years ago)
      • Middle Triassic Epoch (242 to 227.4 million years ago)
        • Anisian Age (242 to 234.3 million years ago)
        • Ladinian Age (234.3 to 227.4 million years ago)
      • Late Triassic Epoch (227.4 to 205 million years ago)
        • Carnian Age (227.4 to 220.7 million years ago)
        • Norian Age (220.7 to 209.6 million years ago)
        • Rhaetian Age (209.6 to 205 million years ago)
    • Jurassic Period (205 to 146 million years ago)
      • Lias Epoch (205 to 176 million years ago)
        • Hettangian Age (205 to 197 million years ago)
        • Sinemurian Age (197 to 190 million years ago)
        • Pliensbachian Age (190 to 183 million years ago)
        • Toarcian Age (183 to 176 million years ago)
      • Dogger Epoch (176 to 161 million years ago)
        • Aalenian Age (176 to 172 million years ago)
        • Bajocian Age (172 to 168 million years ago)
        • Bathonian Age (168 to 165 million years ago)
        • Callovian Age (165 to 161 million years ago)
      • Malm Epoch (161 to 146 million years ago)
        • Oxfordian Age (161 to 156 million years ago)
        • Kimmeridgian Age (156 to 151 million years ago)
        • Tithonian Age (151 to 146 million years ago)
    • Cretaceous Period (146 to 65.5 million years ago)
      • Neocomian Epoch (146 to 130 million years ago)
        • Berriasian Age (146 to 140.2 million years ago)
        • Valanginian Age (140.2 to 136.4 million years ago)
        • Hauterivian Age (136.4 to 130 million years ago)
      • Gallic Epoch (130 to 89.3 million years ago)
        • Barremian Age (130 to 125 million years ago)
        • Aptian Age (125 to 112 million years ago)
        • Albian Age (112 to 99.6 million years ago)
        • Cenomanian Age (99.6 to 93.5 million years ago)
        • Turonian Age (93.5 to 89.3 million years ago)
      • Senonian Epoch (89.3 to 65.5 million years ago)
        • Coniacian Age (89.3 to 85.8 million years ago)
        • Santonian Age (85.8 to 83.5 million years ago)
        • Campanian Age (83.5 to 70.6 million years ago)
        • Maastrichtian Age (70.6 to 65.5 million years ago)
  • Cenozoic Era (65.5 million years ago to the Present)
    • Paleogene Period (65.5 to 23.8 million years ago)
      • Paleocene Epoch (65.5 to 55 million years ago)
        • Danian Age (65.5 to 61 million years ago)
        • Selandian Age (61 to 57.9 million years ago)
        • Thanetian Age (57.9 to 55 million years ago)
      • Eocene Epoch (55 to 33.7 million years ago)
        • Ypresian Age (55 to 49 million years ago)
        • Lutetian Age (49 to 41.3 million years ago)
        • Bartonian Age (41.3 to 37 million years ago)
        • Priabonian Age (37 to 33.7 million years ago)
      • Oligocene Epoch (33.7 to 23.8 million years ago)
        • Rupelian Age (33.7 to 28.5 million years ago)
        • Chattian Age (28.5 to 23.8 million years ago)
    • Neogene Period (23.8 million years ago to the Present)
      • Miocene Epoch (23.8 to 5.32 million years ago)
        • Aquitanian Age (23.8 to 20.5 million years ago)
        • Burdigalian Age (20.5 to 16.4 million years ago)
        • Langhian Age (16.4 to 14.8 million years ago)
        • Serravallian Age (14.8 to 11.2 million years ago)
        • Tortonian Age (11.2 to 7.12 million years ago)
        • Messinian Age (7.12 to 5.32 million years ago)
      • Pliocene Epoch (5.32 to 1.81 million years ago)
        • Zanclean Age (5.32 to 3.6 million years ago)
        • Piacenzian Age (3.6 to 2.58 million years ago)
        • Gelasian Age (2.58 to 1.81 million years ago)
      • Pleistocene Epoch (1.81 million years ago to 10,000 years ago)
        • Calabrian Age (1.81 million years ago to 10,000 years ago)
      • Holocene Epoch (10,000 years ago to the Present)

Sources

International Commission on Stratigraphy

Updates

November 23, 2005:  Completed the graphical updates.

November 20, 2005:  Moved these pages to the Maastrichian server.  Began an update of the visual features of the site.

November 2, 2005:  Updated the Cryptic Era page.

October 25, 2005:  Updated the Hadean Eon.

October 8, 2005:  Updated some visual contents to this site, and information items for the Hadean Eon.

May 29, 2005:  Established the Early Imbrian Era page.

May 22, 2005:  Established the Nectarian Era page.

April 4, 2005:  Established the Basin 1-9 Era page.

January 26, 2005:  Established the Cryptic Era page.

January 22, 2005:  Established the Phanerozoic Eon page.

January 16, 2005:  Established the Proterozoic Eon page.

January 8, 2005:  Established the Archean Eon page.

January 2, 2005:  Established the Hadean Eon page.

December 15, 2004:  Completed the Geological Time Scale Table.  Later, I also added the introduction.

3,000,000 BP:  Horses enter into South America via the isthmus of Panama.  October 10, 2005  
2,200,000 BP:  The Yellowstone Caldera erupts, forming the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff.  October 25, 2005  
840,000 BP:  A major eruption of the Toba Caldera.  October 25, 2005  
700,000 BP:  A major eruption of the Toba Caldera.  October 25, 2005  
600,000 BP:  The Yellowstone Caldera erupts, forming the Lava Creek Tuff.  October 25, 2005  
80,000 BP: The ancestors of all non-African peoples are believed to have migrated from Africa as a single population.  October 25, 2005  
74,000 BP:  The Toba Caldera erupts in its most recent explosion, spewing out 2,800 cubic kilometers of material, and thus forming the Young Toba Tuff.  This eruption is believed to have caused a genetic bottleneck in Humans, due to the resulting extreme climatic conditions.  October 25, 2005  
71,000 BP:  The documented time of the Human genetic bottleneck, believed to have been caused by the Toba eruption.  The Human population in the world is thought to have fallen to as few as 15,000 individuals.  In short, Humans nearly became extinct.  October 25, 2005  
14,000 BP:  The melting of an Antarctic ice sheet, which possibly triggered  a period of warming in Europe, called the Bølling-Allerød warm interval, and which marked the end of the last ice age.  May 29, 2005  
13,000 BP:  The Younger Dryas cold interval begins, probably caused by the influx of fresh water into the north Atlantic Ocean, which caused the shut down of the oceanic conveyor belt, halting the circulation of warmer waters.  May 29, 2005  
12,000 BP:  The earliest accepted time frame for the migration of modern Humans into North America.  It is conventionally thought that these people arrived via the Bering Land Bridge, and then slowly spread throughout both North and South America.  Sea going settlers may have settled North America at earlier dates, but scientific opinion on this remains divided.  May 22, 2005  
11,000 BP:  Perak Man dies in a cave in Malaysia.  He will become the only known complete example of a Paleolithic man in Malaysia.  October 25, 2005  
10,000 BP:  Major extinctions in North and South America occur at the end of the last ice age.  While everything from Human hunting to climate change has been blamed, the true cause of the extinctions remains unknown.  October 10, 2005  
6,000 BP:  Aside from minor, local changes due to storm, geological, or other activity, the continents and their coasts are largely configured as they are today.  May 22, 2005  
~1500 AC:  The first horses are brought to North America by Spanish explorers.  This marks the return of a species that had actually evolved in North America, but died out towards the end of the last ice age.  October 10, 2005  
1980 AC:  Mount Saint Helens erupts.  October 25, 2005  

Return to Explorations
Questions and Comments?  Email Me  

Page design and designated graphics © John M. Dollan 2005-2007
This Page first uploaded May 22, 2005
Most recent update for this page January 19, 2007