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Evolution of Earth

The document outlines the evolution of Earth from its formation 4.6 billion years ago through various geological eons and eras, detailing significant events such as the formation of the Moon, the emergence of early life, and the rise of mammals. It highlights key periods like the Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, emphasizing major biological and geological changes. The document concludes with the current state of Earth, noting the impact of human activity on climate and the environment.

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9 views2 pages

Evolution of Earth

The document outlines the evolution of Earth from its formation 4.6 billion years ago through various geological eons and eras, detailing significant events such as the formation of the Moon, the emergence of early life, and the rise of mammals. It highlights key periods like the Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, emphasizing major biological and geological changes. The document concludes with the current state of Earth, noting the impact of human activity on climate and the environment.

Uploaded by

lakimimomi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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🌍 Evolution of Earth

1. Formation of Earth (about 4.6 billion years ago)

●​ Earth formed from a cloud of gas and dust in space (called the solar nebula).​

●​ Gravity pulled materials together, forming planetesimals that combined into Earth.​

●​ In its early years, Earth was very hot due to constant asteroid impacts and volcanic activity.​

●​ Example: The giant impact theory suggests Earth’s collision with a Mars-sized object created the
Moon.​

2. Hadean Eon (4.6 – 4.0 billion years ago)

●​ Earth’s surface was molten, with constant asteroid bombardment.​

●​ Gradually cooled, forming a solid crust.​

●​ Atmosphere: Mostly carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen, and toxic gases (no oxygen yet).​

●​ Water vapor condensed into oceans.​

●​ Example: First oceans appeared during this time.​

3. Archean Eon (4.0 – 2.5 billion years ago)

●​ First stable continents formed.​

●​ Early life appeared: simple microorganisms (bacteria, archaea).​

●​ Cyanobacteria began photosynthesis, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.​

●​ Example: Stromatolites (fossilized bacteria colonies) are evidence of early life.​

4. Proterozoic Eon (2.5 billion – 541 million years ago)

●​ “Great Oxidation Event” – oxygen increased in the atmosphere.​

●​ First eukaryotic cells (cells with nucleus) appeared.​

●​ Supercontinents like Rodinia formed.​

●​ Example: Evidence of first multicellular life forms.​

5. Paleozoic Era (541 – 252 million years ago)

●​ Cambrian Explosion: sudden appearance of many complex animals in the oceans.​

●​ Plants and animals began moving onto land.​


●​ Formation of supercontinent Pangaea.​

●​ Ended with the Permian Mass Extinction (largest extinction event).​

●​ Examples: Trilobites, first fish, early reptiles, and ferns.​

6. Mesozoic Era (252 – 66 million years ago) – “Age of Reptiles”

●​ Dinosaurs dominated the land.​

●​ First birds (evolved from dinosaurs) and mammals appeared.​

●​ Flowering plants (angiosperms) developed.​

●​ Ended with asteroid impact that caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction, wiping out dinosaurs.​

●​ Example: Fossils of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.​

7. Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago – present) – “Age of Mammals”

●​ Mammals became the dominant animals after dinosaurs’ extinction.​

●​ Ice ages shaped Earth’s surface.​

●​ Humans appeared about 300,000 years ago (Homo sapiens).​

●​ Example: Woolly mammoths lived during the Ice Age; later replaced by modern animals.​

8. Modern Earth

●​ Continents continue to move due to plate tectonics.​

●​ Climate is influenced by human activity, leading to global warming.​

●​ Example: Melting of polar ice caps and rising sea levels.

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