Making of a Planet

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

Part 1 Common Traditions

Common TraditionsCulture, Philosophy, and Religion

Elements of Nature

Fire

EarthWindWater

Spirit – a.k.a. Aether or “breath of life”

Common TraditionsCulture, Philosophy, and Religion

Order of Creative Events

1. Formation of the Earth

2. Life in the Oceans3. Life on Land4. Humankind

* life in the air varies by tradition (birds)

Making of a Planet

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

Part 2 Scientific Theories

Scientific TheoriesFossils, Geology, and Astronomy – Empirical Evidence

Ingredients for a Living Planet

Stable Source of Energy

Active GeosphereActive HydrosphereActive AtmosphereBalanced Biosphere

Scientific TheoriesCycling of Matter and Energy

Stable Source of Energy

1. Sun-Earth-Moon System

2. Radiant Solar Energy3. Tidal Forces of Gravity4. Seasons

Scientific TheoriesCycling of Matter and Energy

Geosphere

1. Volcanic Activity

2. Plate Tectonics3. Rock Cycle

Scientific TheoriesCycling of Matter and Energy

Hydrosphere

1. Ocean Currents

2. Ocean Tides3. Water Cyclea. Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation

b. Surface Waterc. Ground Waterd. Polar Ice Caps

Scientific TheoriesCycling of Matter and Energy

Atmosphere

1. Air Currents2. Weather3. Climate4. Greenhouse Effect5. Ozone Layer

Scientific TheoriesCycling of Matter and Energy

Biosphere

1. Biogeochemical Cycles ( O2 , CO2 , N2 )

2. Cycles of Environmental Change, Evolution, Adaptation, and Extinctions

3. Balanced Ecosystems

4. Population Dynamics

5. Trophic Levels, Food Webs, and Energy Pyramids

Making of a Planet

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

Part 3 Geologic Timeline

Geologic TimelineDivisions and Units of Measure

Eons

Eras

Periods

Epochs

1,000’s of Millions of Years

100’s of Millions of Years10’s of Millions of Years

Millions of Years

Geologic TimelineEons of Earth’s History

Hadean

Archean

Proterozoic

Phanerozoic

1 Billion Years

1 Billion Years

2 Billion Years

½ Billion Years

Geologic TimelineEons of Earth’s History

· Meaning: “Hell on Earth”

· Began: ~ 5 Billion Years Ago

· Length: ~ 1 Billion Years

· Birth of Solar System & Accretion of Planets

· Theia Event – Formation of the Moon

· 1st Atmosphere, Cooling Temperatures, Crust Forms, Oceans Fill, Continents Drift

Hadean EonArcheanProterozoicPhanerozoic

Geologic TimelineEons of Earth’s History

Hadean Eon Archean

ProterozoicPhanerozoic

· Meaning: “Beginning or Origin” of Life

· Began: ~ 3.8 Billion Years Ago

· Length: ~ 1 Billion Years

· Natural Development of Organic Molecules in Deep Water and Shallow Pools

· First Single Cell Prokaryotes

· Chemosynthesis vs. Photosynthesis

Geologic TimelineEons of Earth’s History

Hadean EonArchean

ProterozoicPhanerozoic

· Meaning: “Earlier Life”

· Began: ~ 2.5 Billion Years Ago

· Length: ~ 2 Billion Years

· Snowball Earth Event

· Oxygenation Event

· Early Multicellular Forms of Life

Geologic TimelineEons of Earth’s History

Hadean EonArcheanProterozoic

Phanerozoic

· Meaning: “Visible Life”

· Began: ~ ½ Billion Years Ago (Ongoing)

· Cambrian Explosion – Diversity of Species

· Advanced Plants and Animals in Oceans

· Migration of Life to Land

Geologic TimelineEons of Earth’s History

Hadean Eon Archean Proterozoic Phanerozoic

Video: Earth – Making of a Planet

Making of a Planet

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

Part 4 Phanerozoic EonHadean, Archean, Proterozoic, PHANEROZOIC

PHANEROZOIC EON

Paleozoic EraMesozoic EraCenozoic Era

• Means “old life”• Began about 541 Mya• Major Evolutionary Events Include:

Central Nervous System + Eyes

Spinal Cord + Vertebral Column

Plant Life Migrates to Land (Vascular Tissue, Spores in Ferns)

Insects Migrate to Land

Jaw Structures in Fish

Amphibians Migrate to Land (Tetrapods)

Skeletons in Fish

Wings in Insects

Amniotic Eggs in Reptiles

Reptiles Migrate to Land

Mammal-Like Reptiles Appear

Seeds in Plants

Paleozoic Era Ended in Mass Extinction – 95% of All Species

PHANEROZOIC EON

Paleozoic Era Mesozoic Era

Cenozoic Era

• Means “middle life”• Began about 251 Mya• Major Evolutionary Events Include:

Conifer Forests Spread

First Mammals & Dinosaurs Appear

Turtles, Frogs, Lizards, and Salamanders AppearDinosaurs Dominate

Birds Appear

Flying Reptiles

Flowers and Fruit in Plants

Wings in Insects

Mesozoic Era Ended in Mass Extinction – Asteroid Strike – 50%

PHANEROZOIC EON

Paleozoic EraMesozoic Era

Cenozoic Era

• Means “new life”• Began about 66 Mya• Major Evolutionary Events Include:

Mammals Survive and Dominate

Flowering Plants Dominate

Grasses Appear and Spread

Four Major Glaciation Periods· Extinction of Large Mammals· Rapid Changes in Marine Species

Several Species of Humans Appear and Go Extinct

Making of a Planet

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

Part 5 Patterns of Evolution

Patterns of EvolutionGeological

Continental Drift and Supercontinents

Ur (Vaalbara)

Kenorland

Columbia (Nuna)

Rodinia

Pannotia

Pangaea

~ 3.6 Gya (Archean)

~ 2.7 Gya (Archean)

~ 1.8 Gya (Proterozoic)

~ 1.3 Gya (Proterozoic)

~ 600 Mya (Proterozoic)

~ 300 Mya (Phanerozoic)

Patterns of EvolutionGeological

Global Warming/Cooling Glaciers and Polar Ice Caps Changes in Sea Level

Ice Ages

Patterns of EvolutionBiological

Environmental Changes & Mass Extinctions

1. Random and Require Many Generations

3. Diversification in Anatomy and Physiology4. Diversification in Size

5. Best Adaptations Passed On to Posterity

2. Most Mutations are Deadly – Lead to Extinction

Genetic Mutations