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geologic time
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geologic time timeline of Earth's history Grand Canyon rock layering marine family diversity Plumb the depths of geologic time. major evolutionary events
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Cross section of Earth showing the core, mantle, and crust
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geologic time
geologic time The stratigraphic chart of geologic time.

geologic time

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Also known as: geological time scale
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geologic time, the extensive interval of time occupied by the geologic history of Earth. Formal geologic time begins at the start of the Archean Eon (4.0 billion to 2.5 billion years ago) and continues to the present day. Modern geologic time scales additionally often include the Hadean Eon, which is an informal interval that extends from about 4.6 billion years ago (corresponding to Earth’s initial formation) to 4.0 billion years ago. Geologic time is, in effect, that segment of Earth history that is represented by and recorded in the planet’s rock strata. The geologic time scale is the “calendar” for ...(100 of 313 words)

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