The Modern Geologic Time Scale
The modern geologic time scale has numerous named divisions of time. For this level of study, we will focus only on the eras, periods, epochs, and ages of the last and most current eon, the Phanerozoic Eon. The time scale shown here demonstrates how the modern geologic time scale appears at this simplified level. Do NOT memorize all the names and dates yet. You will learn more about the key events of each and will be shown what is necessary to understand for each time division.
Eon |
Eras |
Periods Epochs Ages |
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Phanerozoic |
Cenozoic |
Quaternary |
Holocene |
Atlantic |
Boreal |
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Pleistocene |
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Neogene |
Pliocene |
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Miocene |
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Paleogene (formerly known as the Lower Tertiary Period) |
Oligocene |
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Eocene |
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Paleocene |
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Mesozoic |
Cretaceous |
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Jurassic |
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Triassic |
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Paleozoic |
Permian |
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Carboniferous |
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Devonian |
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Silurian |
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Ordovician |
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Cambrian |
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Proterozoic Eon |
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Archean Eon |
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Hadean Eon |
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