10: Geologic History
- Page ID
- 12656
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 10.1: Relative Ages of Rocks
- This page discusses key developments in geology, starting with Nicholas Steno's observations in 1666 that challenged ideas about fossils. He proposed Steno's Laws regarding sedimentary rock formation. James Hutton's introduction of uniformitarianism further advanced the understanding of the Earth's age as millions of years.
- 10.2: Absolute Ages of Rocks
- This page covers absolute and relative dating methods for determining the age of objects, emphasizing techniques like tree ring analysis, ice cores, and varves. It highlights radiometric dating methods, including carbon-14, potassium-argon, and uranium-lead, detailing their applications and limitations. Carbon-14 is applicable for organic remains up to 50,000 years old, while potassium-argon and uranium-lead are used for much older geological materials.
- 10.3: Fossils
- This page examines fossils, emphasizing index fossils that are widespread and short-lived, aiding in dating rock layers, and living fossils which have remained stable over millions of years. These fossils not only enhance our understanding of ancient life but also shed light on past environments and climate conditions. The fossilization process is discussed, along with the significance of fossils in revealing Earth's biological and geological history, including events like mass extinctions.
- 10.4: History of Earth’s Life Forms
- This page examines significant paleontological findings from the Cambrian period, discovered by Charles Doolittle Walcott in 1909, highlighting Earth's life history through adaptation and evolution. It discusses how adaptations arise from genetic variations and mutations, with the fossil record evidencing biodiversity and the impact of mass extinctions.
- 10.5: Early Earth
- This page chronicles Earth's 4.5 billion-year journey from a harsh, inhospitable environment lacking oxygen to a vibrant planet rich in life. It details the formation of Earth's structure, the role of volcanic activity and photosynthesis by cyanobacteria in shaping the atmosphere, and the gradual emergence of complex life.
- 10.6: Geologic Time Scale
- This page explores geological time, detailing Earth's 4.5 billion-year history through the study of sedimentary rock and fossils. It outlines how historical geologists use relative and absolute dating methods to sequence events and establish precise ages. The geologic time scale is categorized by eons, eras, periods, and epochs, often reflecting significant biological events.