Board Thread:Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time/@comment-7630469-20140622145157/@comment-24625593-20140704141624

Geologic time scale [hide]{| class="wikitable" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-color:rgb(170,170,170);color:black;clear:both;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);" !Supereon !Eon !Era !Period[19] !Epoch !Age[20] !Major events !Start, million years ago[20] chrons: Subatlantic ·Subboreal · Atlantic ·Boreal · Preboreal iferous][27] Alexandrian (formerly Arenig) brian][28] ozoic][29] proterozoic][29] proterozoic][29] proterozoic][29] [29] [32]
 * rowspan="100" style="background:rgb(255,255,255);"|n/a[21]
 * rowspan="100" style="background:rgb(111,218,237);"|Phanerozoic
 * rowspan="22" style="background:rgb(246,236,57);"|Cenozoic[22]
 * rowspan="5" style="background:rgb(254,246,145);"|Quaternary
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,224);"|Holocene
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,224);"|
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,224);"|
 * rowspan="1"|Quaternary Ice Agerecedes, and the current interglacialbegins; rise of human civilization.Sahara forms from savannah, andagriculture begins.Stone Age cultures give way to Bronze Age (3300 BC) andIron Age (1200 BC), giving rise tomany pre-historic cultures throughout the world. Little Ice Age (stadial) causes brief cooling in Northern Hemisphere from 1400 to 1850. Following theIndustrial Revolution,AtmosphericCO2levels rise from around 280 parts per million volume (ppmv) to the current level of 400[23] ppmv.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royer_24-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide_25-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,224);"|0.0117<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-holocene_26-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[26]
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(254,239,184);"|Pleistocene
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,214);"|Late (locally Tarantian ·Tyrrhenian ·Eemian ·Sangamonian)
 * rowspan="4"|Flourishing and then extinction of many largemammals(Pleistocene megafauna). Evolution of anatomically modern humans.Quaternary Ice Agecontinues withglaciations andinterstadials (and the accompanying fluctuations from 100 to 300 ppmv inatmospheric CO<sub style="line-height:1;">2 levels<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royer_24-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide_25-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25] ), further intensification ofIcehouse Earthconditions, roughly 1.6 Ma. Last glacial maximum(30000 years ago),last glacial period(18000–15000 years ago). Dawn of human stone-age cultures, withincreasing technical complexity relative to previous ice age cultures, such asengravings and clay statues (e.g.Venus of Lespugue), particularly in theMediterranean and Europe. Lake Tobasupervolcanoerupts 75000 years before present, causing a volcanic winter that pushes humanity to the brink of extinction. Pleistocene ends with Oldest Dryas,Older Dryas/Allerødand Younger Dryasclimate events, with Younger Dryas forming the boundary with the Holocene.
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,214);"|0.126
 * style="background:rgb(254,240,204);"|Middle (formerly Ionian)
 * style="background:rgb(254,240,204);"|0.781
 * style="background:rgb(254,239,193);"|Calabrian
 * style="background:rgb(254,239,193);"|1.80<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,238,173);"|Gelasian
 * style="background:rgb(254,238,173);"|2.58<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="8" style="background:rgb(254,221,45);"|Neogene
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(254,248,166);"|Pliocene
 * rowspan="1" style="background:rgb(254,250,200);"|Piacenzian/Blancan
 * rowspan="2"|Intensification of present Icehouse conditions, present (Quaternary) ice age begins roughly 2.58 Ma; cool and dry climate.Australopithecines, many of the existing genera of mammals, and recent mollusksappear. Homo habilis appears.
 * style="background:rgb(254,250,200);"|3.600<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,249,189);"|Zanclean
 * style="background:rgb(254,249,189);"|5.333<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="6" style="background:rgb(254,239,0);"|Miocene
 * style="background:rgb(254,245,135);"|Messinian
 * rowspan="6"|Moderate Icehouse climate, punctuated by ice ages; Orogeny innorthern hemisphere. Modern mammaland bird families become recognizable.Horses andmastodons diverse.Grasses become ubiquitous. Firstapes appear (for reference see the article: "Sahelanthropus tchadensis").Kaikoura Orogenyforms Southern Alps in New Zealand, continues today. Orogeny of the Alps in Europe slows, but continues to this day. Carpathian orogeny formsCarpathian Mountains inCentral andEastern Europe.Hellenic orogeny in Greece and Aegean Sea slows, but continues to this day. Middle Miocene Disruptionoccurs. Widespread forests slowly draw inmassive amounts of CO<sub style="line-height:1;">2, gradually lowering the level of atmospheric CO<sub style="line-height:1;">2 from 650 ppmv down to around 100 ppmv.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royer_24-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide_25-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]
 * style="background:rgb(254,245,135);"|7.246<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,244,125);"|Tortonian
 * style="background:rgb(254,244,125);"|11.62<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,244,114);"|Serravallian
 * style="background:rgb(254,244,114);"|13.82<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,243,102);"|Langhian
 * style="background:rgb(254,243,102);"|15.97
 * style="background:rgb(254,242,89);"|Burdigalian
 * style="background:rgb(254,242,89);"|20.44
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,77);"|Aquitanian
 * style="background:rgb(254,241,77);"|23.03<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="9" style="background:rgb(254,161,99);"|Paleogene
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(254,195,134);"|Oligocene
 * style="background:rgb(254,228,178);"|Chattian
 * rowspan="2"|Warm but cooling climate, moving towards Icehouse; Rapid evolution and diversification of fauna, especiallymammals. Major evolution and dispersal of modern types of flowering plants
 * style="background:rgb(254,228,178);"|28.1
 * style="background:rgb(254,217,162);"|Rupelian
 * style="background:rgb(254,217,162);"|33.9<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(254,185,121);"|Eocene
 * style="background:rgb(254,207,167);"|Priabonian
 * rowspan="4"|Moderate, cooling climate. Archaicmammals (e.g.Creodonts,Condylarths,Uintatheres, etc.) flourish and continue to develop during the epoch. Appearance of several "modern" mammal families. Primitive whalesdiversify. Firstgrasses. Reglaciation of Antarctica and formation of its ice cap; Azolla eventtriggers ice age, and the Icehouse Earth climate that would follow it to this day, from the settlement and decay of seaflooralgae drawing in massive amounts of atmosphericcarbon dioxide,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royer_24-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide_25-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25] lowering it from 3800 ppmv down to 650 ppmv. End ofLaramide andSevier Orogenies of the Rocky Mountains in North America. Orogenyof the Alps in Europe begins.Hellenic Orogenybegins in Greece and Aegean Sea.
 * style="background:rgb(254,207,167);"|38.0
 * style="background:rgb(254,196,152);"|Bartonian
 * style="background:rgb(254,196,152);"|41.3
 * style="background:rgb(254,185,138);"|Lutetian
 * style="background:rgb(254,185,138);"|47.8<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,174,125);"|Ypresian
 * style="background:rgb(254,174,125);"|56.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,173,110);"|Paleocene
 * style="background:rgb(254,195,125);"|Thanetian
 * rowspan="3"|Climate tropical. Modern plantsappear; Mammalsdiversify into a number of primitive lineages following the extinction of the dinosaurs. First large mammals (up to bear or smallhippo size). Alpine orogeny in Europe and Asia begins.Indian Subcontinentcollides with Asia 55 Ma, Himalayan Orogeny starts between 52 and 48Ma.
 * style="background:rgb(254,195,125);"|59.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,194,116);"|Selandian
 * style="background:rgb(254,194,116);"|61.6<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,184,114);"|Danian
 * style="background:rgb(254,184,114);"|66.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="30" style="background:rgb(7,202,234);"|Mesozoic
 * rowspan="12" style="background:rgb(111,200,107);"|Cretaceous
 * rowspan="6" style="background:rgb(166,212,104);"|Late
 * style="background:rgb(243,242,156);"|Maastrichtian
 * rowspan="12"|Flowering plantsproliferate, along with new types ofinsects. More modern teleost fish begin to appear.Ammonoidea,belemnites, rudistbivalves, echinoidsand sponges all common. Many new types ofdinosaurs (e.g.Tyrannosaurs,Titanosaurs, duck bills, and horned dinosaurs) evolve on land, as doEusuchia (modern crocodilians); andmosasaurs and modern sharksappear in the sea. Primitive birdsgradually replacepterosaurs.Monotremes,marsupials andplacental mammals appear. Break up ofGondwana. Beginning ofLaramide andSevier Orogenies of the Rocky Mountains.Atmospheric CO<sub style="line-height:1;">2 close to present-day levels.
 * style="background:rgb(243,242,156);"|72.1 ± 0.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(234,237,147);"|Campanian
 * style="background:rgb(234,237,147);"|83.6 ± 0.2
 * style="background:rgb(222,231,138);"|Santonian
 * style="background:rgb(222,231,138);"|86.3 ± 0.5
 * style="background:rgb(209,227,130);"|Coniacian
 * style="background:rgb(209,227,130);"|89.8 ± 0.3
 * style="background:rgb(195,223,121);"|Turonian
 * style="background:rgb(195,223,121);"|93.9<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(181,218,113);"|Cenomanian
 * style="background:rgb(181,218,113);"|100.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="6" style="background:rgb(126,205,116);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(205,229,168);"|Albian
 * style="background:rgb(205,229,168);"|c. 113.0
 * style="background:rgb(191,225,159);"|Aptian
 * style="background:rgb(191,225,159);"|c. 125.0
 * style="background:rgb(175,221,151);"|Barremian
 * style="background:rgb(175,221,151);"|c. 129.4
 * style="background:rgb(158,215,142);"|Hauterivian
 * style="background:rgb(158,215,142);"|c. 132.9
 * style="background:rgb(141,210,133);"|Valanginian
 * style="background:rgb(141,210,133);"|c. 139.8
 * style="background:rgb(124,206,124);"|Berriasian
 * style="background:rgb(124,206,124);"|c. 145.0
 * rowspan="11" style="background:rgb(0,187,231);"|Jurassic
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(151,227,250);"|Late
 * style="background:rgb(207,240,252);"|Tithonian
 * rowspan="11"|Gymnosperms(especiallyconifers,Bennettitales andcycads) and fernscommon. Many types of dinosaurs, such assauropods,carnosaurs, andstegosaurs. Mammals common but small. Firstbirds and lizards.Ichthyosaurs andplesiosaursdiverse. Bivalves,Ammonites andbelemnitesabundant. Sea urchins very common, along with crinoids, starfish, sponges, and terebratulidand rhynchonellidbrachiopods. Breakup ofPangaea intoGondwana andLaurasia. Nevadan orogeny in North America. Rantigataand Cimmerian Orogenies taper off. Atmospheric CO<sub style="line-height:1;">2 levels 4–5 times the present day levels (1200–1500 ppmv, compared to today's 385 ppmv<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royer_24-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide_25-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25] ).
 * style="background:rgb(207,240,252);"|152.1 ± 0.9
 * style="background:rgb(189,235,251);"|Kimmeridgian
 * style="background:rgb(189,235,251);"|157.3 ± 1.0
 * style="background:rgb(171,231,251);"|Oxfordian
 * style="background:rgb(171,231,251);"|163.5 ± 1.0
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(52,209,235);"|Middle
 * style="background:rgb(174,230,240);"|Callovian
 * style="background:rgb(174,230,240);"|166.1 ± 1.2
 * style="background:rgb(156,226,239);"|Bathonian
 * style="background:rgb(156,226,239);"|168.3 ± 1.3<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(135,222,238);"|Bajocian
 * style="background:rgb(135,222,238);"|170.3 ± 1.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(111,218,237);"|Aalenian
 * style="background:rgb(111,218,237);"|174.1 ± 1.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(0,183,234);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(116,209,240);"|Toarcian
 * style="background:rgb(116,209,240);"|182.7 ± 0.7
 * style="background:rgb(60,201,239);"|Pliensbachian
 * style="background:rgb(60,201,239);"|190.8 ± 1.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(7,193,237);"|Sinemurian
 * style="background:rgb(7,193,237);"|199.3 ± 0.3<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(0,187,235);"|Hettangian
 * style="background:rgb(0,187,235);"|201.3 ± 0.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(153,78,150);"|Triassic
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(198,152,194);"|Late
 * style="background:rgb(232,194,216);"|Rhaetian
 * rowspan="7"|Archosaursdominant on land as dinosaurs, in the oceans asIchthyosaurs andnothosaurs, and in the air aspterosaurs.Cynodonts become smaller and more mammal-like, while first mammals andcrocodilia appear.Dicroidiumflora common on land. Many large aquatictemnospondylamphibians.Ceratitic ammonoidsextremely common. Modern corals and teleostfish appear, as do many moderninsect clades.Andean Orogeny in South America.Cimmerian Orogeny in Asia.Rangitata Orogenybegins in New Zealand. Hunter-Bowen Orogeny inNorthern Australia, Queensland andNew South Walesends, (c. 260–225Ma)
 * style="background:rgb(232,194,216);"|c. 208.5
 * style="background:rgb(221,180,209);"|Norian
 * style="background:rgb(221,180,209);"|c. 228
 * style="background:rgb(209,166,201);"|Carnian
 * style="background:rgb(209,166,201);"|c. 235<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(191,124,177);"|Middle
 * style="background:rgb(212,146,189);"|Ladinian
 * style="background:rgb(212,146,189);"|c. 242<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(201,134,182);"|Anisian
 * style="background:rgb(201,134,182);"|247.2
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(173,87,154);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(194,106,165);"|Olenekian
 * style="background:rgb(194,106,165);"|251.2
 * style="background:rgb(184,97,160);"|Induan
 * style="background:rgb(184,97,160);"|252.2 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="48" style="background:rgb(146,195,160);"|Paleozoic
 * rowspan="9" style="background:rgb(247,88,60);"|Permian
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(254,175,151);"|Lopingian
 * style="background:rgb(254,198,179);"|Changhsingian
 * rowspan="9"|Landmasses unite into supercontinentPangaea, creating the Appalachians. End of Permo-Carboniferous glaciation.Synapsidreptiles(pelycosaurs andtherapsids) become plentiful, while parareptilesand temnospondylamphibians remain common. In the mid-Permian, coal-age flora are replaced by cone-bearinggymnosperms (the first true seed plants) and by the first true mosses.Beetles and fliesevolve. Marine life flourishes in warm shallow reefs;productid andspiriferidbrachiopods, bivalves, forams, and ammonoids all abundant. Permian-Triassic extinction event occurs 251Ma: 95% of life on Earth becomes extinct, including all trilobites,graptolites, andblastoids. Ouachitaand Innuitian orogenies in North America. Uralian orogeny in Europe/Asia tapers off. Altaid orogeny in Asia. Hunter-Bowen Orogeny onAustralian Continent begins (c. 260–225 Ma), forming theMacDonnell Ranges.
 * style="background:rgb(254,198,179);"|254.2 ± 0.1<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,187,165);"|Wuchiapingian
 * style="background:rgb(254,187,165);"|259.9 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,131,103);"|Guadalupian
 * style="background:rgb(254,163,138);"|Capitanian
 * style="background:rgb(254,163,138);"|265.1 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,152,126);"|Wordian/Kazanian
 * style="background:rgb(254,152,126);"|268.8 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,142,114);"|Roadian/Ufimian
 * style="background:rgb(254,142,114);"|272.3 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(247,110,84);"|Cisuralian
 * style="background:rgb(239,148,127);"|Kungurian
 * style="background:rgb(239,148,127);"|279.3 ± 0.6
 * style="background:rgb(239,138,116);"|Artinskian
 * style="background:rgb(239,138,116);"|290.1 ± 0.1
 * style="background:rgb(239,128,106);"|Sakmarian
 * style="background:rgb(239,128,106);"|295.5 ± 0.4
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|Asselian
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|298.9 ± 0.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(63,174,173);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous Carbon-
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(153,78,150);"|Triassic
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(198,152,194);"|Late
 * style="background:rgb(232,194,216);"|Rhaetian
 * rowspan="7"|Archosaursdominant on land as dinosaurs, in the oceans asIchthyosaurs andnothosaurs, and in the air aspterosaurs.Cynodonts become smaller and more mammal-like, while first mammals andcrocodilia appear.Dicroidiumflora common on land. Many large aquatictemnospondylamphibians.Ceratitic ammonoidsextremely common. Modern corals and teleostfish appear, as do many moderninsect clades.Andean Orogeny in South America.Cimmerian Orogeny in Asia.Rangitata Orogenybegins in New Zealand. Hunter-Bowen Orogeny inNorthern Australia, Queensland andNew South Walesends, (c. 260–225Ma)
 * style="background:rgb(232,194,216);"|c. 208.5
 * style="background:rgb(221,180,209);"|Norian
 * style="background:rgb(221,180,209);"|c. 228
 * style="background:rgb(209,166,201);"|Carnian
 * style="background:rgb(209,166,201);"|c. 235<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(191,124,177);"|Middle
 * style="background:rgb(212,146,189);"|Ladinian
 * style="background:rgb(212,146,189);"|c. 242<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(201,134,182);"|Anisian
 * style="background:rgb(201,134,182);"|247.2
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(173,87,154);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(194,106,165);"|Olenekian
 * style="background:rgb(194,106,165);"|251.2
 * style="background:rgb(184,97,160);"|Induan
 * style="background:rgb(184,97,160);"|252.2 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="48" style="background:rgb(146,195,160);"|Paleozoic
 * rowspan="9" style="background:rgb(247,88,60);"|Permian
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(254,175,151);"|Lopingian
 * style="background:rgb(254,198,179);"|Changhsingian
 * rowspan="9"|Landmasses unite into supercontinentPangaea, creating the Appalachians. End of Permo-Carboniferous glaciation.Synapsidreptiles(pelycosaurs andtherapsids) become plentiful, while parareptilesand temnospondylamphibians remain common. In the mid-Permian, coal-age flora are replaced by cone-bearinggymnosperms (the first true seed plants) and by the first true mosses.Beetles and fliesevolve. Marine life flourishes in warm shallow reefs;productid andspiriferidbrachiopods, bivalves, forams, and ammonoids all abundant. Permian-Triassic extinction event occurs 251Ma: 95% of life on Earth becomes extinct, including all trilobites,graptolites, andblastoids. Ouachitaand Innuitian orogenies in North America. Uralian orogeny in Europe/Asia tapers off. Altaid orogeny in Asia. Hunter-Bowen Orogeny onAustralian Continent begins (c. 260–225 Ma), forming theMacDonnell Ranges.
 * style="background:rgb(254,198,179);"|254.2 ± 0.1<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,187,165);"|Wuchiapingian
 * style="background:rgb(254,187,165);"|259.9 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,131,103);"|Guadalupian
 * style="background:rgb(254,163,138);"|Capitanian
 * style="background:rgb(254,163,138);"|265.1 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,152,126);"|Wordian/Kazanian
 * style="background:rgb(254,152,126);"|268.8 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,142,114);"|Roadian/Ufimian
 * style="background:rgb(254,142,114);"|272.3 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(247,110,84);"|Cisuralian
 * style="background:rgb(239,148,127);"|Kungurian
 * style="background:rgb(239,148,127);"|279.3 ± 0.6
 * style="background:rgb(239,138,116);"|Artinskian
 * style="background:rgb(239,138,116);"|290.1 ± 0.1
 * style="background:rgb(239,128,106);"|Sakmarian
 * style="background:rgb(239,128,106);"|295.5 ± 0.4
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|Asselian
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|298.9 ± 0.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(63,174,173);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous Carbon-
 * style="background:rgb(254,142,114);"|Roadian/Ufimian
 * style="background:rgb(254,142,114);"|272.3 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(247,110,84);"|Cisuralian
 * style="background:rgb(239,148,127);"|Kungurian
 * style="background:rgb(239,148,127);"|279.3 ± 0.6
 * style="background:rgb(239,138,116);"|Artinskian
 * style="background:rgb(239,138,116);"|290.1 ± 0.1
 * style="background:rgb(239,128,106);"|Sakmarian
 * style="background:rgb(239,128,106);"|295.5 ± 0.4
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|Asselian
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|298.9 ± 0.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(63,174,173);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous Carbon-
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|Asselian
 * style="background:rgb(240,119,95);"|298.9 ± 0.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(63,174,173);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous Carbon-
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(63,174,173);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous Carbon-
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(63,174,173);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboniferous Carbon-
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(138,198,195);"|Pennsylvanian
 * style="background:rgb(203,213,205);"|Gzhelian
 * rowspan="4"|Winged insectsradiate suddenly; some (esp.Protodonata andPalaeodictyoptera) are quite large.Amphibianscommon and diverse. Firstreptiles and coalforests (scale trees, ferns, club trees, giant horsetails,Cordaites, etc.). Highest-everatmosphericoxygen levels.Goniatites, brachiopods, bryozoa, bivalves, and corals plentiful in the seas and oceans. Testateforams proliferate.Uralian orogeny in Europe and Asia.Variscan orogenyoccurs towards middle and late Mississippian Periods.
 * style="background:rgb(203,213,205);"|303.7 ± 0.1
 * style="background:rgb(187,209,205);"|Kasimovian
 * style="background:rgb(187,209,205);"|307.0 ± 0.1
 * style="background:rgb(174,205,196);"|Moscovian
 * style="background:rgb(174,205,196);"|315.2 ± 0.2
 * style="background:rgb(138,198,195);"|Bashkirian
 * style="background:rgb(138,198,195);"|323.2 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(97,157,126);"|Mississippian
 * style="background:rgb(200,194,129);"|Serpukhovian
 * rowspan="3"|Large primitive trees, first land vertebrates, and amphibious sea-scorpions live amidcoal-forming coastal swamps. Lobe-finnedrhizodonts are dominant big fresh-water predators. In the oceans, earlysharks are common and quite diverse;echinoderms(especially crinoidsand blastoids) abundant. Corals,bryozoa, goniatitesand brachiopods (Productida,Spiriferida, etc.) very common, buttrilobites andnautiloids decline.Glaciation in EastGondwana. Tuhua Orogeny in New Zealand tapers off.
 * style="background:rgb(200,194,129);"|330.9 ± 0.2
 * style="background:rgb(171,188,130);"|Viséan
 * style="background:rgb(171,188,130);"|346.7 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(138,181,132);"|Tournaisian
 * style="background:rgb(138,181,132);"|358.9 ± 0.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(221,150,81);"|Devonian
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(244,224,169);"|Late
 * style="background:rgb(243,235,204);"|Famennian
 * rowspan="7"|First clubmosses,horsetails and fernsappear, as do the first seed-bearing plants (progymnosperms), first trees (the progymnospermArchaeopteris), and first (wingless)insects.Strophomenid andatrypidbrachiopods,rugose andtabulate corals, and crinoids are all abundant in the oceans. Goniatiteammonoids are plentiful, while squid-like coleoidsarise. Trilobites and armoured agnaths decline, while jawed fishes (placoderms, lobe-finned and ray-finned fish, and early sharks) rule the seas. Firstamphibians still aquatic. "Old Red Continent" ofEuramerica. Beginning ofAcadian Orogenyfor Anti-Atlas Mountains of North Africa, andAppalachian Mountains of North America, also theAntler, Variscan, and Tuhua Orogenyin New Zealand.
 * style="background:rgb(243,235,204);"|372.2 ± 1.6<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(244,234,185);"|Frasnian
 * style="background:rgb(244,234,185);"|382.7 ± 1.6<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(246,200,122);"|Middle
 * style="background:rgb(245,222,148);"|Givetian
 * style="background:rgb(245,222,148);"|387.7 ± 0.8<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(245,211,134);"|Eifelian
 * style="background:rgb(245,211,134);"|393.3 ± 1.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(239,176,99);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(236,207,135);"|Emsian
 * style="background:rgb(236,207,135);"|407.6 ± 2.6<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(238,197,123);"|Pragian
 * style="background:rgb(238,197,123);"|410.8 ± 2.8<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(238,186,110);"|Lochkovian
 * style="background:rgb(238,186,110);"|419.2 ± 3.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="8" style="background:rgb(166,223,197);"|Silurian
 * colspan="2" style="background:rgb(228,242,230);"|Pridoli
 * rowspan="8"|First Vascular plants (therhyniophytes and their relatives), firstmillipedes andarthropleurids on land. First jawed fishes, as well as many armouredjawless fish, populate the seas.Sea-scorpionsreach large size.Tabulate andrugose corals,brachiopods(Pentamerida,Rhynchonellida, etc.), and crinoidsall abundant.Trilobites andmollusks diverse;graptolites not as varied. Beginning ofCaledonian Orogeny for hills in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and theScandinavian Mountains. Also continued into Devonian period as the Acadian Orogeny, above.Taconic Orogenytapers off. Lachlan Orogeny onAustralian Continent tapers off.
 * style="background:rgb(228,242,230);"|423.0 ± 2.3<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(180,229,219);"|Ludlow/Cayugan
 * style="background:rgb(212,238,230);"|Ludfordian
 * style="background:rgb(212,238,230);"|425.6 ± 0.9<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(195,234,230);"|Gorstian
 * style="background:rgb(195,234,230);"|427.4 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(164,224,208);"|Wenlock
 * style="background:rgb(197,233,219);"|Homerian/Lockportian
 * style="background:rgb(197,233,219);"|430.5 ± 0.7<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(182,228,208);"|Sheinwoodian/Tonawandan
 * style="background:rgb(182,228,208);"|433.4 ± 0.8<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(126,215,198);"|Llandovery/
 * colspan="2" style="background:rgb(228,242,230);"|Pridoli
 * rowspan="8"|First Vascular plants (therhyniophytes and their relatives), firstmillipedes andarthropleurids on land. First jawed fishes, as well as many armouredjawless fish, populate the seas.Sea-scorpionsreach large size.Tabulate andrugose corals,brachiopods(Pentamerida,Rhynchonellida, etc.), and crinoidsall abundant.Trilobites andmollusks diverse;graptolites not as varied. Beginning ofCaledonian Orogeny for hills in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and theScandinavian Mountains. Also continued into Devonian period as the Acadian Orogeny, above.Taconic Orogenytapers off. Lachlan Orogeny onAustralian Continent tapers off.
 * style="background:rgb(228,242,230);"|423.0 ± 2.3<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(180,229,219);"|Ludlow/Cayugan
 * style="background:rgb(212,238,230);"|Ludfordian
 * style="background:rgb(212,238,230);"|425.6 ± 0.9<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(195,234,230);"|Gorstian
 * style="background:rgb(195,234,230);"|427.4 ± 0.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(164,224,208);"|Wenlock
 * style="background:rgb(197,233,219);"|Homerian/Lockportian
 * style="background:rgb(197,233,219);"|430.5 ± 0.7<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(182,228,208);"|Sheinwoodian/Tonawandan
 * style="background:rgb(182,228,208);"|433.4 ± 0.8<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(126,215,198);"|Llandovery/
 * style="background:rgb(182,228,208);"|Sheinwoodian/Tonawandan
 * style="background:rgb(182,228,208);"|433.4 ± 0.8<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(126,215,198);"|Llandovery/
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(126,215,198);"|Llandovery/
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(126,215,198);"|Llandovery/
 * style="background:rgb(180,229,219);"|Telychian/Ontarian
 * style="background:rgb(180,229,219);"|438.5 ± 1.1<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(164,224,208);"|Aeronian
 * style="background:rgb(164,224,208);"|440.8 ± 1.2<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(147,219,198);"|Rhuddanian
 * style="background:rgb(147,219,198);"|443.4 ± 1.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="7" style="background:rgb(0,169,138);"|Ordovician
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(94,204,169);"|Late
 * style="background:rgb(149,218,188);"|Hirnantian
 * rowspan="7"|Invertebratesdiversify into many new types (e.g., long straight-shelledcephalopods). Early corals, articulatebrachiopods(Orthida,Strophomenida, etc.), bivalves,nautiloids,trilobites,ostracods,bryozoa, many types ofechinoderms(crinoids, cystoids,starfish, etc.), branchedgraptolites, and other taxa all common.Conodonts (earlyplanktonicvertebrates) appear. First green plants and fungi on land. Ice age at end of period.
 * style="background:rgb(149,218,188);"|445.2 ± 1.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(129,214,188);"|Katian
 * style="background:rgb(129,214,188);"|453.0 ± 0.7<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(114,208,169);"|Sandbian
 * style="background:rgb(114,208,169);"|458.4 ± 0.9<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(0,189,151);"|Middle
 * style="background:rgb(53,201,178);"|Darriwilian
 * style="background:rgb(53,201,178);"|467.3 ± 1.1<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(18,197,169);"|Dapingian
 * style="background:rgb(18,197,169);"|470.0 ± 1.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(0,175,137);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(0,186,160);"|Floian
 * style="background:rgb(53,201,178);"|Darriwilian
 * style="background:rgb(53,201,178);"|467.3 ± 1.1<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(18,197,169);"|Dapingian
 * style="background:rgb(18,197,169);"|470.0 ± 1.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(0,175,137);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(0,186,160);"|Floian
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(0,175,137);"|Early
 * style="background:rgb(0,186,160);"|Floian
 * style="background:rgb(0,186,160);"|477.7 ± 1.4<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(0,182,152);"|Tremadocian
 * style="background:rgb(0,182,152);"|485.4 ± 1.9<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="10" style="background:rgb(129,170,114);"|Cambrian
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(173,221,168);"|Furongian
 * style="background:rgb(229,241,209);"|Stage 10
 * rowspan="10"|Major diversification of life in theCambrian Explosion. Numerous fossils; most modernanimalphylaappear. Firstchordates appear, along with a number of extinct, problematic phyla. Reef-buildingArchaeocyathaabundant; then vanish. Trilobites,priapulid worms,sponges, inarticulatebrachiopods(unhinged lampshells), and many other animals numerous.Anomalocarids are giant predators, while many Ediacaran fauna die out.Prokaryotes,protists (e.g.,forams), fungi andalgae continue to present day.Gondwanaemerges.Petermann Orogeny on theAustralian Continent tapers off (550–535 Ma). Ross Orogeny in Antarctica.Adelaide Geosyncline (Delamerian Orogeny), majority of orogenic activity from 514–500Ma.Lachlan Orogenyon Australian Continent, c. 540–440Ma.Atmospheric CO<sub style="line-height:1;">2 content roughly 20–35 times present-day (Holocene) levels (6000 ppmv compared to today's 385 ppmv)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royer_24-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide_25-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]
 * style="background:rgb(229,241,209);"|c. 489.5
 * style="background:rgb(216,236,198);"|Jiangshanian
 * style="background:rgb(216,236,198);"|c. 494<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(202,231,188);"|Paibian
 * style="background:rgb(202,231,188);"|c. 497<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(161,207,155);"|Series 3
 * style="background:rgb(204,221,184);"|Guzhangian
 * style="background:rgb(204,221,184);"|c. 500.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(191,216,173);"|Drumian
 * style="background:rgb(191,216,173);"|c. 504.5<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(178,212,163);"|Stage 5
 * style="background:rgb(178,212,163);"|c. 509
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(149,194,143);"|Series 2
 * style="background:rgb(180,203,160);"|Stage 4
 * style="background:rgb(180,203,160);"|c. 514
 * style="background:rgb(165,198,151);"|Stage 3
 * style="background:rgb(165,198,151);"|c. 521
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(138,181,132);"|Terreneuvian
 * style="background:rgb(168,189,147);"|Stage 2
 * style="background:rgb(168,189,147);"|c. 529
 * style="background:rgb(154,186,139);"|Fortunian
 * style="background:rgb(154,186,139);"|541.0 ± 1.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="18" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precambrian Precam-
 * style="background:rgb(165,198,151);"|Stage 3
 * style="background:rgb(165,198,151);"|c. 521
 * rowspan="2" style="background:rgb(138,181,132);"|Terreneuvian
 * style="background:rgb(168,189,147);"|Stage 2
 * style="background:rgb(168,189,147);"|c. 529
 * style="background:rgb(154,186,139);"|Fortunian
 * style="background:rgb(154,186,139);"|541.0 ± 1.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="18" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precambrian Precam-
 * style="background:rgb(154,186,139);"|Fortunian
 * style="background:rgb(154,186,139);"|541.0 ± 1.0<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * rowspan="18" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precambrian Precam-
 * rowspan="18" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precambrian Precam-
 * rowspan="10" style="background:rgb(254,76,104);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proterozoic Proter-
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,183,87);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoproterozoic Neo-
 * style="background:rgb(254,214,123);"|Ediacaran
 * colspan="3"|Good fossils of the first multi-celled animals. Ediacaran biotaflourish worldwide in seas. Simple trace fossils of possible worm-like Trichophycus, etc. First sponges and trilobitomorphs. Enigmatic forms include many soft-jellied creatures shaped like bags, disks, or quilts (likeDickinsonia). Taconic Orogeny in North America. Aravalli Rangeorogeny in Indian Subcontinent. Beginning of Petermann Orogeny on Australian Continent. Beardmore Orogeny in Antarctica, 633–620Ma.
 * style="background:rgb(254,214,123);"|c. 635<sup style="line-height:1;">*
 * style="background:rgb(254,204,111);"|Cryogenian
 * colspan="3"|Possible "Snowball Earth" period. Fossils still rare. Rodinialandmass begins to break up. Late Ruker / Nimrod Orogeny in Antarctica tapers off.
 * style="background:rgb(254,204,111);"|850<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,194,98);"|Tonian
 * colspan="3"|Rodinia supercontinent persists. Trace fossils of simple multi-celledeukaryotes. First radiation of dinoflagellate-like acritarchs.Grenville Orogeny tapers off in North America. Pan-African orogeny in Africa. Lake Ruker / Nimrod Orogeny in Antarctica, 1000 ± 150 Ma. Edmundian Orogeny (c. 920 - 850Ma),Gascoyne Complex, Western Australia. Adelaide Geosynclinelaid down on Australian Continent, beginning of Adelaide Geosyncline (Delamerian Orogeny) in that continent.
 * style="background:rgb(254,194,98);"|1000<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,184,114);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoproterozoic Meso-
 * style="background:rgb(254,194,98);"|1000<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,184,114);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoproterozoic Meso-
 * rowspan="3" style="background:rgb(254,184,114);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoproterozoic Meso-
 * style="background:rgb(254,217,162);"|Stenian
 * colspan="3"|Narrow highly metamorphic belts due to orogeny as Rodiniaforms. Late Ruker / Nimrod Orogeny in Antarctica possibly begins. Musgrave Orogeny (c. 1080 Ma), Musgrave Block,Central Australia.
 * style="background:rgb(254,217,162);"|1200<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,206,148);"|Ectasian
 * colspan="3"|Platform covers continue to expand. Green algaecolonies in the seas. Grenville Orogeny in North America.
 * style="background:rgb(254,206,148);"|1400<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,195,134);"|Calymmian
 * colspan="3"|Platform covers expand. Barramundi Orogeny, McArthur Basin,Northern Australia, and Isan Orogeny, c.1600 Ma, Mount Isa Block, Queensland
 * style="background:rgb(254,195,134);"|1600<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoproterozoic Paleo-
 * style="background:rgb(254,195,134);"|1600<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoproterozoic Paleo-
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(254,91,113);"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoproterozoic Paleo-
 * style="background:rgb(254,134,161);"|Statherian
 * colspan="3"|First complex single-celled life: protists with nuclei. Columbia is the primordial supercontinent. Kimban Orogeny in Australian Continent ends. Yapungku Orogeny on Yilgarn craton, in Western Australia. Mangaroon Orogeny, 1680–1620 Ma, on theGascoyne Complex in Western Australia. Kararan Orogeny (1650-Ma), Gawler Craton, South Australia.
 * style="background:rgb(254,134,161);"|1800<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,123,148);"|Orosirian
 * colspan="3"|The atmosphere becomes oxygenic. Vredefort and Sudbury Basin asteroid impacts. Much orogeny. Penokean and Trans-Hudsonian Orogenies in North America. Early Ruker Orogeny in Antarctica, 2000 - 1700 Ma. Glenburgh Orogeny, Glenburgh Terrane, Australian Continentc. 2005–1920 Ma. Kimban Orogeny, Gawler craton in Australian Continent begins.
 * style="background:rgb(254,123,148);"|2050<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,112,135);"|Rhyacian
 * colspan="3"|Bushveld Igneous Complex forms. Huronian glaciation.
 * style="background:rgb(254,112,135);"|2300<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,101,123);"|Siderian
 * colspan="3"|Oxygen catastrophe: banded iron formations forms. Sleaford Orogeny on Australian Continent, Gawler Craton 2440–2420 Ma.
 * style="background:rgb(254,101,123);"|2500<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(254,0,124);"|Archean<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * style="background:rgb(254,166,186);"|Neoarchean<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * colspan="4"|Stabilization of most modern cratons; possible mantle overturn event. Insell Orogeny, 2650 ± 150 Ma. Abitibi greenstone belt in present-day Ontario andQuebec begins to form, stabilizes by 2600 Ma.
 * style="background:rgb(254,166,186);"|2800<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,124,163);"|Mesoarchean<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * colspan="4"|First stromatolites (probably colonialcyanobacteria). Oldest macrofossils. Humboldt Orogeny in Antarctica. Blake River Megacaldera Complex begins to form in present-day Ontario and Quebec, ends by roughly 2696Ma.
 * style="background:rgb(254,124,163);"|3200<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(254,91,151);"|Paleoarchean<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * colspan="4"|First known oxygen-producingbacteria. Oldest definitive microfossils. Oldestcratons on Earth (such as the Canadian Shield and the Pilbara Craton) may have formed during this period<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Oldest-craton_31-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[31] . Rayner Orogeny in Antarctica.
 * style="background:rgb(254,91,151);"|3600<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(238,0,125);"|Eoarchean<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * colspan="4"|Simple single-celled life (probably bacteria and archaea). Oldest probablemicrofossils.
 * style="background:rgb(238,0,125);"|4000
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Hadean
 * colspan="4"|First known oxygen-producingbacteria. Oldest definitive microfossils. Oldestcratons on Earth (such as the Canadian Shield and the Pilbara Craton) may have formed during this period<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Oldest-craton_31-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[31] . Rayner Orogeny in Antarctica.
 * style="background:rgb(254,91,151);"|3600<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-absolute-age_30-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]
 * style="background:rgb(238,0,125);"|Eoarchean<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * colspan="4"|Simple single-celled life (probably bacteria and archaea). Oldest probablemicrofossils.
 * style="background:rgb(238,0,125);"|4000
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Hadean
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Hadean
 * rowspan="4" style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Hadean
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Early Imbrian<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lunar-geologic-timescale-names_33-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]
 * colspan="4"|Indirect photosynthetic evidence (e.g., kerogen) of primordial life. This era overlaps the end of the Late Heavy Bombardment of the innersolar system.
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|c.4100
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Nectarian<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lunar-geologic-timescale-names_33-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]
 * colspan="4"|This unit gets its name from the lunar geologic timescale when the Nectaris Basin and other greater lunar basins form by big impact events.
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|c.4300
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Basin Groups<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lunar-geologic-timescale-names_33-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]
 * colspan="4"|Oldest known rock (4030 Ma)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Oldest-rock_34-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[34] . The first life forms and self-replicatingRNAmolecules evolve around 4000 Ma, after the Late Heavy Bombardment ends on Earth. Napier Orogeny in Antarctica, 4000 ± 200 Ma.
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|c.4500
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|Cryptic<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Precambrian-Time_29-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lunar-geologic-timescale-names_33-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]
 * colspan="4"|Oldest known mineral (Zircon, 4404 ± 8 Ma).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-geology-wisc-edu_35-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35]  Formation of Moon(4533Ma), probably from giant impact. Formation of Earth (4567.17 to 4570Ma)
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|c.4567
 * }
 * colspan="4"|Oldest known mineral (Zircon, 4404 ± 8 Ma).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-geology-wisc-edu_35-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35]  Formation of Moon(4533Ma), probably from giant impact. Formation of Earth (4567.17 to 4570Ma)
 * style="background:rgb(203,3,129);"|c.4567
 * }