Question

What is the geologic time scale?

Answer 1

The geologic time scale is a system of measurements based on stratigraphy in relation to time.

Explanation:

The geologic time scale is a system of measurements based on stratigraphy in relation to time. The time scale is divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages with an eon spanning the greatest period of time and an age spanning the least period of time. We are currently in the Phanerozoic Eon, the Cenozoic Era, the Quaternary Period, and Holocene epoch.

The geologic time scale is used so that scientists can discuss the timing of events on Earth.

For example, you may have heard that mammalian diversity exploded after the dinosaurs went extinct during the Paleocene Epoch (see new study published here). If we refer to the geologic time scale, we can see that the Paleocene spans the time from 65.5 to 55.8 million years ago.

Read more about the geologic time scale here.