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<div style="clear:both; width:100%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto" class="NavFrame">
<div class="NavHead" style="background-color:#ccccff">{{Tnavbar-collapsible | [[Geologic time scale]] | Geologic time scale}}</div>
<div class="NavContent">
<!-- This next lines determine how wide the white section of the template should be, followed by the text size in the same part. They must be listed in percentage. -->
{| class="wikitable" style="clear:both;margin:0; font-size:95%"
|-
! [[Supereon (geology)|Supereon]]
! [[Eon (geology)|Eon]]
! [[Era (geology)|Era]]
! [[Period (geology)|Period]]
! [[Epoch (geology)|Epoch]]
! [[Age (geology)|Age]]<ref name="uncertain-dates" />
! Major events
! Start, million years ago
|-
|rowspan="100" style="background:#ffffff"| n/a
|rowspan="100" style="background:{{period color|Phanerozoic}}"| [[Phanerozoic]]
|rowspan="22" style="background:{{period color|Cenozoic}}"| [[Cenozoic]]
|rowspan="5" style="background:{{period color|Quaternary}}"| [[Quaternary]]
|style="background:{{period color|Holocene}}"| [[Holocene]]
|style="background:{{period color|Holocene}}"|
[[Chronozone|chrons]]: [[Subatlantic]]{{·}}[[Subboreal]]{{·}}[[Atlantic (period)|Atlantic]]{{·}}[[Boreal (period)|Boreal]]{{·}}[[Preboreal]]
|rowspan="1" | [[Quaternary glaciation|Quaternary Ice Age]] recedes, and the current [[interglacial]] begins; rise of human [[civilization]]. [[Sahara]] forms from savannah, and [[agriculture]] begins. [[Stone Age]] cultures give way to [[Bronze Age]] (3300 BC) and [[Iron Age]] (1200 BC), giving rise to [[Synoptic table of the principal old world prehistoric cultures|many pre-historic cultures]] throughout the world. [[Little Ice Age]] ([[stadial]]) causes brief cooling in [[Northern Hemisphere]] from 1400 to 1850. Following the [[Industrial Revolution]], [[Earth's atmosphere|Atmospheric]] [[Carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere|CO<sub>2</sub>]] levels rise from around 280 [[parts per million]] volume (ppmv) to the current level of 400
|style="background:{{period color|Holocene}}"| 0.0117
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Pleistocene}}"| [[Pleistocene]]
|style="background:{{period color|Upper Pleistocene}}"| [[Late Pleistocene|Late]] (locally [[Tarantian]]{{·}}[[Tyrrhenian Stage|Tyrrhenian]]{{·}}[[Eemian]]{{·}}[[Sangamonian Stage|Sangamonian]])
|rowspan="4"| Flourishing and then extinction of many large [[mammal]]s ([[Pleistocene megafauna]]). Evolution of anatomically modern [[human]]s. [[Last glacial period|Quaternary Ice Age]] continues with [[Glacial period|glaciations]] and [[interstadial]]s (and the accompanying fluctuations from 100 to 300 ppmv in [[Earth's atmosphere|atmospheric]] CO<sub>2</sub> levels<ref name="Royer" /><ref name="atmospheric-carbon-dioxide" />), further intensification of [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Icehouse Earth]] conditions, roughly 1.6 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]. [[Last glacial maximum]] (30000 [[before present|years ago]]), [[last glacial period]] (18000–15000 years ago). Dawn of human [[Lower Paleolithic#Cultures|stone-age cultures]], with [[Middle Paleolithic#Cultures|increasing technical complexity]] relative to previous ice age cultures, such as [[Upper Paleolithic#Cultures|engravings and clay statues]] (e.g. [[Venus of Lespugue]]), particularly in the [[Mediterranean]] and Europe. [[Lake Toba]] [[supervolcano]] erupts 75000 years before present, causing a [[volcanic winter]] that [[Toba catastrophe theory|pushes humanity to the brink of extinction]]. Pleistocene ends with [[Oldest Dryas]], [[Older Dryas]]/[[Allerød Oscillation|Allerød]] and [[Younger Dryas]] climate events, with Younger Dryas forming the boundary with the Holocene.
|style="background:{{period color|upper Pleistocene}}"| 0.126
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Middle Pleistocene}}"| [[Middle Pleistocene|Middle]] (formerly Ionian)
|style="background:{{period color|Middle Pleistocene}}"| 0.781
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Calabrian}}"| [[Early Pleistocene|Calabrian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Calabrian}}"| 1.806<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Gelasian}}"| [[Gelasian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Gelasian}}"| 2.588<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="8" style="background:{{period color|Neogene}}"| [[Neogene]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Pliocene}}"| [[Pliocene]]
|rowspan="1" style="background:{{period color|Piacenzian}}"| [[Piacenzian]]/[[Blancan]]
|rowspan="2"| Intensification of present [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Icehouse conditions]], [[Quaternary glaciation|present (Quaternary) ice age]] begins roughly 2.58 Ma; cool and dry [[climate]]. [[Australopithecine]]s, many of the existing genera of mammals, and recent [[mollusk]]s appear. ''[[Homo habilis]]'' appears.
|style="background:{{period color|Piacenzian}}"| 3.600<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Zanclean}}"| [[Zanclean]]
|style="background:{{period color|Zanclean}}"| 5.333<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="6" style="background:{{period color|Miocene}}"| [[Miocene]]
|style="background:{{period color|Messinian}}"| [[Messinian]]
|rowspan="6"| [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Moderate Icehouse climate]], punctuated by [[ice age]]s; [[Orogeny]] in [[northern hemisphere]]. Modern [[mammal]] and [[bird]] families become recognizable. [[Equidae|Horses]] and [[mastodon]]s diverse. [[Grass]]es become ubiquitous. First [[ape]]s appear (for reference see the article: "[[Sahelanthropus tchadensis]]"). [[Kaikoura Orogeny]] forms [[Southern Alps]] in New Zealand, continues today. Orogeny of the Alps in Europe slows, but continues to this day. [[Carpathian orogeny]] forms [[Carpathian Mountains]] in [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]]. [[Hellenic orogeny]] in Greece and Aegean Sea slows, but continues to this day. [[Middle Miocene Disruption]] occurs. Widespread forests slowly [[photosynthesis|draw in]] massive amounts of CO<sub>2</sub>, gradually lowering the level of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> from 650 ppmv down to around 100 ppmv.<ref name="Royer" /><ref name="atmospheric-carbon-dioxide" />
|style="background:{{period color|Messinian}}"| 7.246<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Tortonian}}"| [[Tortonian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Tortonian}}"| 11.62<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Serravallian}}"| [[Serravallian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Serravallian}}"| 13.82<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Langhian}}"| [[Langhian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Langhian}}"| 15.97
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Burdigalian}}"| [[Burdigalian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Burdigalian}}"| 20.44
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Aquitanian}}"| [[Aquitanian age|Aquitanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Aquitanian}}"| 23.03<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="9" style="background:{{period color|Paleogene}}"| [[Paleogene]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Oligocene}}"| [[Oligocene]]
|style="background:{{period color|Chattian}}"| [[Chattian]]
|rowspan="2"| [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Warm but cooling climate]], moving towards Icehouse; Rapid [[evolution]] and diversification of fauna, especially [[mammal]]s. Major evolution and dispersal of modern types of [[flowering plant]]s
|style="background:{{period color|Chattian}}"| 28.1
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Rupelian}}"| [[Rupelian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Rupelian}}"| 33.9<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Eocene}}"| [[Eocene]]
|style="background:{{period color|Priabonian}}"| [[Priabonian]]
|rowspan="4"| [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Moderate, cooling climate]]. Archaic [[mammal]]s (e.g. [[Creodont]]s, [[Condylarth]]s, [[Uintatheriidae|Uintatheres]], etc.) flourish and continue to develop during the epoch. Appearance of several "modern" mammal families. Primitive [[Cetacea|whales]] diversify. First [[grass]]es. Reglaciation of Antarctica and formation of its [[ice cap]]; [[Azolla event]] triggers [[ice age]], and the [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Icehouse Earth]] climate that would follow it to this day, from the settlement and decay of [[seafloor]] [[algae]] drawing in massive amounts of atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]],<ref name="Royer" /><ref name="atmospheric-carbon-dioxide" /> lowering it from 3800 [[parts per million|ppmv]] down to 650 ppmv. End of [[Laramide Orogeny|Laramide]] and [[Sevier orogeny|Sevier Orogenies]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]] in North America. [[Orogeny]] of the [[Alps]] in Europe begins. [[Hellenic Orogeny]] begins in Greece and [[Aegean Sea]].
|style="background:{{period color|Priabonian}}"| 38.0
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Bartonian}}"| [[Bartonian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Bartonian}}"| 41.3
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Lutetian}}"| [[Lutetian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Lutetian}}"| 47.8<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Ypresian}}"| [[Ypresian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Ypresian}}"| 56.0<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Paleocene}}"| [[Paleocene]]
|style="background:{{period color|Thanetian}}"| [[Thanetian]]
|rowspan="3"| [[Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth|Climate tropical]]. Modern [[plant]]s appear; [[Mammal]]s diversify into a number of primitive lineages following the extinction of the dinosaurs. First large mammals (up to [[bear]] or small [[hippopotamus|hippo]] size). [[Alpine orogeny]] in Europe and Asia begins. [[Indian Subcontinent]] collides with Asia 55 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]], [[Geology of the Himalaya|Himalayan Orogeny]] starts between 52 and 48 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]].
|style="background:{{period color|Thanetian}}"| 59.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Selandian}}"| [[Selandian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Selandian}}"| 61.6<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Danian}}"| [[Danian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Danian}}"| 66.0<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="30" style="background:{{period color|Mesozoic}}"| [[Mesozoic]]
|rowspan="12" style="background:{{period color|Cretaceous}}" | [[Cretaceous]]
|rowspan="6" style="background:{{period color|Late Cretaceous}}"| [[Late Cretaceous|Late]]
|style="background:{{period color|Maastrichtian}}"| [[Maastrichtian]]
|rowspan="12"| [[Flowering plant]]s proliferate, along with new types of [[insect]]s. More modern [[teleost]] fish begin to appear. [[Ammonoidea]], [[Belemnoidea|belemnites]], [[rudist]] [[Bivalvia|bivalve]]s, [[Echinoidea|echinoid]]s and [[Porifera|sponges]] all common. Many new types of [[dinosaur]]s (e.g. [[Tyrannosauridae|Tyrannosaurs]], [[Titanosauridae|Titanosaurs]], [[Hadrosauridae|duck bills]], and [[Ceratopsidae|horned dinosaurs]]) evolve on land, as do [[Eusuchia]] ([[Crocodilia|modern crocodilians]]); and [[mosasaur]]s and modern [[shark]]s appear in the sea. Primitive [[bird]]s gradually replace [[pterosaurs]]. [[Monotremes]], [[marsupial]]s and [[Eutheria|placental]] mammals appear. Break up of [[Gondwana]]. Beginning of [[Laramide Orogeny|Laramide]] and [[Sevier Orogeny|Sevier Orogenies]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. [[Earth's atmosphere|Atmospheric]] CO<sub>2</sub> close to present-day levels.
|style="background:{{period color|Maastrichtian}}"| 72.1 ± 0.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Campanian}}"| [[Campanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Campanian}}"| 83.6 ± 0.2
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Santonian}}"| [[Santonian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Santonian}}"| 86.3 ± 0.5
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Coniacian}}"| [[Coniacian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Coniacian}}"| 89.8 ± 0.3
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Turonian}}"| [[Turonian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Turonian}}"| 93.9<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Cenomanian}}"| [[Cenomanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Cenomanian}}"| 100.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="6" style="background:{{period color|Early Cretaceous}}"| [[Early Cretaceous|Early]]
|style="background:{{period color|Albian}}"| [[Albian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Albian}}"| c. 113.0
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Aptian}}"| [[Aptian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Aptian}}"| c. 125.0
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Barremian}}"| [[Barremian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Barremian}}"| c. 129.4
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Hauterivian}}"| [[Hauterivian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Hauterivian}}"| c. 132.9
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Valanginian}}"| [[Valanginian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Valanginian}}"| c. 139.8
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Berriasian}}"| [[Berriasian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Berriasian}}"| c. 145.0
|-
|rowspan="11" style="background:{{period color|Jurassic}}"| [[Jurassic]]
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Late Jurassic}}"| [[Late Jurassic|Late]]
|style="background:{{period color|Tithonian}}"| [[Tithonian]]
|rowspan="11"| [[Gymnosperm]]s (especially [[conifer]]s, [[Bennettitales]] and [[cycad]]s) and [[fern]]s common. Many types of [[dinosaur]]s, such as [[sauropod]]s, [[carnosaur]]s, and [[stegosaur]]s. Mammals common but small. First [[bird]]s and [[Squamata|lizards]]. [[Ichthyosaur]]s and [[plesiosaur]]s diverse. [[Bivalvia|Bivalve]]s, [[Ammonite]]s and [[Belemnoidea|belemnites]] abundant. [[Sea urchin]]s very common, along with [[crinoid]]s, starfish, [[Porifera|sponges]], and [[Terebratulida|terebratulid]] and [[Rhynchonellida|rhynchonellid]] [[brachiopod]]s. Breakup of [[Pangaea]] into [[Gondwana]] and [[Laurasia]]. [[Nevadan orogeny]] in North America. [[Rangitata Orogeny|Rantigata]] and [[Cimmerian Orogeny|Cimmerian Orogenies]] taper off. Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels 4–5 times the present day levels (1200–1500 ppmv, compared to today's 385 ppmv<ref name="Royer" /><ref name="atmospheric-carbon-dioxide" />).
|style="background:{{period color|Tithonian}}"| 152.1 ± 0.9
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Kimmeridgian}}"| [[Kimmeridgian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Kimmeridgian}}"| 157.3 ± 1.0
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Oxfordian}}"| [[Oxfordian stage|Oxfordian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Oxfordian}}"| 163.5 ± 1.0
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Middle Jurassic}}"| [[Middle Jurassic|Middle]]
|style="background:{{period color|Callovian}}"| [[Callovian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Callovian}}"| 166.1 ± 1.2
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Bathonian}}"| [[Bathonian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Bathonian}}"| 168.3 ± 1.3<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Bajocian}}"| [[Bajocian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Bajocian}}"| 170.3 ± 1.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Aalenian}}"| [[Aalenian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Aalenian}}"| 174.1 ± 1.0<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Early Jurassic}}"| [[Early Jurassic|Early]]
|style="background:{{period color|Toarcian}}"| [[Toarcian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Toarcian}}"| 182.7 ± 0.7
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Pliensbachian}}"| [[Pliensbachian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Pliensbachian}}"| 190.8 ± 1.0<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Sinemurian}}"| [[Sinemurian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Sinemurian}}"| 199.3 ± 0.3<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Hettangian}}"| [[Hettangian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Hettangian}}"| 201.3 ± 0.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="7" style="background:{{period color|Triassic}}"| [[Triassic]]
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Late Triassic}}"| [[Late Triassic|Late]]
|style="background:{{period color|Rhaetian}}"| [[Rhaetian]]
|rowspan="7"| [[Archosaur]]s dominant on land as [[dinosaur]]s, in the oceans as [[Ichthyosaur]]s and [[nothosaur]]s, and in the air as [[pterosaur]]s. [[Cynodont]]s become smaller and more mammal-like, while first [[mammal]]s and [[crocodilia]] appear. ''[[Dicroidium]]''flora common on land. Many large aquatic [[temnospondyli|temnospondyl]] amphibians. [[Ammonite|Ceratitic ammonoids]] extremely common. [[Scleractinia|Modern corals]] and [[teleost]] fish appear, as do many modern [[insect]] clades. [[Andes Mountains|Andean Orogeny]] in South America. [[Cimmerian Orogeny]] in Asia. [[Rangitata Orogeny]] begins in New Zealand. [[Hunter-Bowen Orogeny]] in [[Northern Australia]], Queensland and [[New South Wales]] ends, (c. 260–225 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]])
|style="background:{{period color|Rhaetian}}"| c. 208.5
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Norian}}"| [[Norian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Norian}}"| c. 228
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Carnian}}"| [[Carnian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Carnian}}"| c. 235<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Middle Triassic}}"| [[Middle Triassic|Middle]]
|style="background:{{period color|Ladinian}}"| [[Ladinian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Ladinian}}"| c. 242<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Anisian}}"| [[Anisian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Anisian}}"| 247.2
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Early Triassic}}"| [[Early Triassic|Early]]
|style="background:{{period color|Olenekian}}"| [[Olenekian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Olenekian}}"| 251.2
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Induan}}"| [[Induan]]
|style="background:{{period color|Induan}}"| 252.2 ± 0.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="48" style="background:{{period color|Paleozoic}}"| [[Paleozoic]]
|rowspan="9" style="background:{{period color|Permian}}"| [[Permian]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Lopingian}}"| [[Lopingian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Changhsingian}}"| [[Changhsingian]]
|rowspan="9"| [[Landmass]]es unite into [[supercontinent]] [[Pangaea]], creating the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian]]s. End of Permo-Carboniferous glaciation. [[Synapsida|Synapsid]] [[Reptilia|reptile]]s ([[pelycosaur]]s and [[therapsid]]s) become plentiful, while [[parareptile]]s and [[temnospondyli|temnospondyl]] [[Amphibian|amphibians]] remain common. In the mid-Permian, [[coal]]-age flora are replaced by [[Conifer cone|cone]]-bearing [[gymnosperm]]s (the first true [[seed plants]]) and by the first true [[moss]]es. [[Beetles]] and [[Fly|flies]] evolve. Marine life flourishes in warm shallow reefs; [[Productida|productid]] and [[Spiriferida|spiriferid]] brachiopods, bivalves, [[foraminifera|foram]]s, and [[orthocerid|ammonoid]]s all abundant. [[Permian-Triassic extinction event]] occurs 251[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]: 95% of life on Earth becomes extinct, including all [[trilobite]]s, [[graptolite]]s, and [[blastoid]]s. [[Ouachita Orogeny|Ouachita]] and [[Innuitian orogeny|Innuitian orogenies]] in North America. [[Uralian orogeny]] in Europe/Asia tapers off. [[Altai Mountains|Altaid]] orogeny in Asia. [[Hunter-Bowen Orogeny]] on [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]] begins (c. 260–225 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]), forming the [[MacDonnell Ranges]].
|style="background:{{period color|Changhsingian}}"| 254.2 ± 0.1<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Wuchiapingian}}"| [[Wuchiapingian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Wuchiapingian}}"| 259.9 ± 0.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Guadalupian}}"| [[Guadalupian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Capitanian}}"| [[Capitanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Capitanian}}"| 265.1 ± 0.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Wordian}}"| [[Wordian|Wordian/Kazanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Wordian}}"| 268.8 ± 0.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Roadian}}"| [[Roadian|Roadian/Ufimian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Roadian}}"| 272.3 ± 0.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Cisuralian}}"| [[Cisuralian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Kungurian}}"| [[Kungurian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Kungurian}}"| 279.3 ± 0.6
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Artinskian}}"| [[Artinskian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Artinskian}}"| 290.1 ± 0.1
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Sakmarian}}"| [[Sakmarian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Sakmarian}}"| 295.5 ± 0.4
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Asselian}}"| [[Asselian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Asselian}}"| 298.9 ± 0.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="7" style="background:{{period color|Carboniferous}}"| [[Carboniferous|Carbon-<br />iferous]]
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Pennsylvanian}}"| [[Pennsylvanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Gzhelian}}"| [[Gzhelian]]
|rowspan="4"| [[Pterygota|Winged insects]] radiate suddenly; some (esp. [[Protodonata]] and [[Palaeodictyoptera]]) are quite large. [[Amphibian]]s common and diverse. First [[reptile]]s and [[coal]] forests ([[Lepidodendron|scale tree]]s, ferns, [[Sigillaria|club tree]]s, [[Calamites|giant horsetail]]s, ''[[Cordaites]]'', etc.). Highest-ever [[Earth's atmosphere|atmospheric]] [[oxygen]] levels. [[Goniatite]]s, brachiopods, bryozoa, bivalves, and corals plentiful in the seas and oceans. Testate [[foram]]s proliferate. [[Uralian orogeny]] in Europe and Asia. [[Variscan orogeny]] occurs towards middle and late Mississippian Periods.
|style="background:{{period color|Gzhelian}}"| 303.7 ± 0.1
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Kasimovian}}"| [[Kasimovian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Kasimovian}}"| 307.0 ± 0.1
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Moscovian}}"| [[Moscovian (Carboniferous)|Moscovian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Moscovian}}"| 315.2 ± 0.2
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Bashkirian}}"| [[Bashkirian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Bashkirian}}"| 323.2 ± 0.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Mississippian}}"|[[Mississippian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Serpukhovian}}"| [[Serpukhovian]]
|rowspan="3"| Large [[Lycopodiophyta|primitive tree]]s, first [[Tetrapoda|land vertebrate]]s, and amphibious [[eurypterid|sea-scorpion]]s live amid [[coal]]-forming coastal [[brackish water|swamp]]s. Lobe-finned [[rhizodont]]s are dominant big fresh-water predators. In the oceans, early [[Chondrichthyes|shark]]s are common and quite diverse; [[echinoderm]]s (especially [[crinoid]]s and [[blastoid]]s) abundant. [[Coral]]s, [[bryozoa]], [[Goniatitida|goniatite]]s and brachiopods ([[Productida]], [[Spiriferida]], etc.) very common, but [[Trilobita|trilobite]]s and [[nautiloid]]s decline. [[Glaciation]] in East [[Gondwana]]. [[Mayor Island/Tuhua|Tuhua Orogeny]] in New Zealand tapers off.
|style="background:{{period color|Serpukhovian}}"| 330.9 ± 0.2
|-
|style="background:{{period color|visean}}"| [[Viséan]]
|style="background:{{period color|visean}}"| 346.7 ± 0.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Tournaisian}}"| [[Tournaisian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Tournaisian}}"| 358.9 ± 0.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="7" style="background:{{period color|Devonian}}"| [[Devonian]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Late Devonian}}"| [[Late Devonian|Late]]
|style="background:{{period color|Frasnian}}"| [[Famennian]]
|rowspan="7"| First [[Lycopodiopsida|clubmoss]]es, [[Equisetophyta|horsetail]]s and [[fern]]s appear, as do the first [[seed]]-bearing plants ([[progymnosperm]]s), first [[tree]]s (the progymnosperm ''[[Archaeopteris]]''), and first (wingless) [[insect]]s. [[Strophomenida|Strophomenid]] and [[Atrypida|atrypid]] [[brachiopod]]s, [[Rugosa|rugose]] and [[Tabulata|tabulate]] corals, and [[crinoid]]s are all abundant in the oceans. [[Goniatite]] [[Ammonite|ammonoids]] are plentiful, while squid-like [[Coleoidea|coleoids]] arise. Trilobites and armoured agnaths decline, while jawed fishes ([[Placodermi|placoderm]]s, [[Sarcopterygii|lobe-finned]] and [[Osteichthyes|ray-finned]] fish, and early [[Chondrichthyes|sharks]]) rule the seas. First [[amphibian]]s still aquatic. "Old Red Continent" of [[Euramerica]]. Beginning of [[Acadian Orogeny]] for [[Atlas Mountains|Anti-Atlas Mountains]] of [[North Africa]], and [[Appalachian Mountains]] of North America, also the [[Antler Orogeny|Antler]], [[Variscan Orogeny|Variscan]], and [[Mayor Island/Tuhua|Tuhua Orogeny]] in New Zealand.
|style="background:{{period color|Frasnian}}"| 372.2 ± 1.6<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Famennian}}"| [[Frasnian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Famennian}}"| 382.7 ± 1.6<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Middle Devonian}}"| [[Middle Devonian|Middle]]
|style="background:{{period color|Givetian}}"| [[Givetian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Givetian}}"| 387.7 ± 0.8<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Eifelian}}"| [[Eifelian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Eifelian}}"| 393.3 ± 1.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Early Devonian}}"| [[Early Devonian|Early]]
|style="background:{{period color|Emsian}}"| [[Emsian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Emsian}}"| 407.6 ± 2.6<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Pragian}}"| [[Pragian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Pragian}}"| 410.8 ± 2.8<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Lochkovian}}"| [[Lochkovian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Lochkovian}}"| 419.2 ± 3.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="8" style="background:{{period color|Silurian}}"| [[Silurian]]
|colspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Pridoli}}"| [[Pridoli epoch|Pridoli]]
|rowspan="8"| First [[Vascular plant]]s (the [[rhyniophytes]] and their relatives), first [[millipede]]s and [[Arthropleurida|arthropleurid]]s on land. First [[jawed fish]]es, as well as many [[ostracoderm|armoured]] [[agnatha|jawless fish]], populate the seas. [[Eurypterid|Sea-scorpions]] reach large size. [[Tabulate coral|Tabulate]] and [[Rugosa|rugose]] corals, [[brachiopod]]s (''Pentamerida'', [[Rhynchonellida]], etc.), and [[crinoid]]s all abundant. [[Trilobite]]s and [[mollusk]]s diverse; [[graptolite]]s not as varied. Beginning of [[Caledonian Orogeny]] for hills in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the [[Scandinavian Mountains]]. Also continued into Devonian period as the [[Acadian Orogeny]], above. [[Taconic Orogeny]] tapers off. [[Lachlan Orogeny]] on [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]] tapers off.
|style="background:{{period color|Pridoli}}"| 423.0 ± 2.3<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Ludlow}}"| [[Ludlow epoch|Ludlow]]/[[Cayugan]]
|style="background:{{period color|Ludfordian}}"| [[Ludfordian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Ludfordian}}"| 425.6 ± 0.9<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Gorstian}}"| [[Gorstian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Gorstian}}"| 427.4 ± 0.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Wenlock}}"| [[Wenlock epoch|Wenlock]]
|style="background:{{period color|Homerian}}"| [[Homerian]]/[[Lockportian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Homerian}}"| 430.5 ± 0.7<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Sheinwoodian}}"| [[Sheinwoodian]]/[[Tonawandan]]
|style="background:{{period color|Sheinwoodian}}"| 433.4 ± 0.8<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Llandovery}}"| [[Llandovery epoch|Llandovery]]/<br/>[[Silurian|Alexandrian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Telychian}}"| [[Telychian]]/[[Ontarian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Telychian}}"| 438.5 ± 1.1<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Aeronian}}"| [[Aeronian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Aeronian}}"| 440.8 ± 1.2<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Rhuddanian}}"| [[Rhuddanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Rhuddanian}}"| 443.4 ± 1.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="7" style="background:{{period color|Ordovician}}"| [[Ordovician]]
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Late Ordovician}}"| [[Late Ordovician|Late]]
|style="background:{{period color|Hirnantian}}"| [[Hirnantian]]
|rowspan="7"| [[Invertebrate]]s diversify into many new types (e.g., long [[orthoconic|straight-shelled]] [[orthocerida|cephalopods]]). Early [[coral]]s, articulate [[brachiopod]]s (''Orthida'', ''Strophomenida'', etc.), [[Bivalvia|bivalves]], [[nautiloid]]s, [[trilobite]]s, [[ostracod]]s, [[bryozoa]], many types of [[echinoderms]] ([[crinoid]]s, [[Cystoidea|cystoids]], [[Asteroidea|starfish]], etc.), branched [[graptolite]]s, and other taxa all common. [[Conodont]]s (early [[plankton]]ic [[vertebrate]]s) appear. First [[Embryophyte|green plant]]s and [[fungus|fungi]] on land. Ice age at end of period.
|style="background:{{period color|Hirnantian}}"| 445.2 ± 1.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Katian}}"| [[Katian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Katian}}"| 453.0 ± 0.7<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Sandbian}}"| [[Sandbian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Sandbian}}"| 458.4 ± 0.9<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Middle Ordovician}}"| [[Middle Ordovician|Middle]]
|style="background:{{period color|Darriwilian}}"| [[Darriwilian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Darriwilian}}"| 467.3 ± 1.1<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Dapingian}}"| [[Dapingian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Dapingian}}"| 470.0 ± 1.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Early Ordovician}}"| [[Early Ordovician|Early]]
|style="background:{{period color|Floian}}"| [[Floian]]<br />(formerly [[Arenig]])
|style="background:{{period color|Floian}}"| 477.7 ± 1.4<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Tremadocian}}"| [[Tremadocian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Tremadocian}}"| 485.4 ± 1.9<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="10" style="background:{{period color|Cambrian}}"| [[Cambrian]]
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Furongian}}"| [[Furongian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 10}}"| [[Cambrian#Subdivisions|Stage 10]]
|rowspan="10"| Major diversification of life in the [[Cambrian Explosion]]. Numerous fossils; most modern [[Animalia|animal]] [[Phylum|phyla]] appear. First [[chordate]]s appear, along with a number of extinct, problematic phyla. Reef-building [[Archaeocyatha]] abundant; then vanish. [[Trilobite]]s, [[priapulid]] worms, [[Porifera|sponges]], inarticulate [[brachiopod]]s (unhinged lampshells), and many other animals numerous. [[Anomalocarid]]s are giant predators, while many Ediacaran fauna die out. [[Prokaryote]]s, [[protist]]s (e.g., [[foram]]s), [[fungus|fungi]] and [[algae]] continue to present day. [[Gondwana]] emerges. [[Petermann Orogeny]] on the [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]] tapers off (550–535 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]). Ross Orogeny in Antarctica. [[Adelaide Geosyncline|Adelaide Geosyncline (Delamerian Orogeny)]], majority of orogenic activity from 514–500[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]. [[Lachlan Orogeny]] on [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]], c. 540–440[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]. [[Earth's atmosphere|Atmospheric]] CO<sub>2</sub> content roughly 20–35 times present-day ([[Holocene]]) levels (6000 ppmv compared to today's 385 ppmv)<ref name="Royer" /><ref name="atmospheric-carbon-dioxide" />
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 10}}"| c. 489.5
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Jiangshanian}}"| [[Jiangshanian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Jiangshanian}}"| c. 494<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Paibian}}"| [[Paibian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Paibian}}"| c. 497<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Series 3}}"| [[Middle Cambrian|Series 3]]
|style="background:{{period color|Guzhangian}}"| [[Guzhangian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Guzhangian}}"| c. 500.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Drumian}}"| [[Drumian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Drumian}}"| c. 504.5<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 5}}"| [[Cambrian#Subdivisions|Stage 5]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 5}}"| c. 509
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Series 2}}"| [[Middle Cambrian|Series 2]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 4}}"| [[Cambrian#Subdivisions|Stage 4]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 4}}"| c. 514
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 3}}"| [[Cambrian#Subdivisions|Stage 3]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 3}}"| c. 521
|-
|rowspan="2" style="background:{{period color|Terreneuvian}}"| [[Terreneuvian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 2}}"| [[Cambrian Stage 2|Stage 2]]
|style="background:{{period color|Stage 2}}"| c. 529
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Fortunian}}"| [[Fortunian]]
|style="background:{{period color|Fortunian}}"| 541.0 ± 1.0<sup>*</sup>
|-
|rowspan="18" style="background:{{period color|Precambrian}}"| [[Precambrian|Precam-<br />brian]]
|rowspan="10" style="background:{{period color|Proterozoic}}"| [[Proterozoic|Proter-<br />ozoic]]
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Neoproterozoic}}"| [[Neoproterozoic|Neo-<br />proterozoic]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|style="background:{{period color|Ediacaran}}"| [[Ediacaran]]
|colspan="3"| Good [[fossil]]s of the first [[Metazoa|multi-celled animal]]s. [[Ediacaran biota]] flourish worldwide in seas. Simple [[trace fossil]]s of possible worm-like ''[[Trichophycus pedum|Trichophycus]]'', etc. First [[Porifera|sponge]]s and [[Trilobita|trilobitomorph]]s. Enigmatic forms include many soft-jellied creatures shaped like bags, disks, or quilts (like''[[Dickinsonia]]''). [[Taconic Orogeny]] in North America. [[Aravalli Range]] [[orogeny]] in [[Indian Subcontinent]]. Beginning of [[Petermann Orogeny]] on [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]]. Beardmore Orogeny in Antarctica, 633–620[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]].
|style="background:{{period color|Ediacaran}}"| c. 635<sup>*</sup>
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Cryogenian}}"| [[Cryogenian]]
|colspan="3"| Possible "[[Snowball Earth]]" period. [[Fossil]]s still rare. [[Rodinia]] landmass begins to break up. Late Ruker / Nimrod Orogeny in Antarctica tapers off.
|style="background:{{period color|Cryogenian}}"| 850
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Tonian}}"| [[Tonian]]
|colspan="3"| [[Rodinia]] supercontinent persists. [[Trace fossil]]s of simple [[multicellular|multi-celled]] [[Eukaryota|eukaryote]]s. First radiation of [[dinoflagellate]]-like [[acritarch]]s. [[Grenville Orogeny]] tapers off in North America. [[Pan-African orogeny]] in Africa. Lake Ruker / Nimrod Orogeny in Antarctica, 1000 ± 150 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]. Edmundian Orogeny (c. 920 - 850[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]), [[Gascoyne Complex]], Western Australia. [[Adelaide Geosyncline]] laid down on [[Australia (continent)|Australian Continent]], beginning of [[Adelaide Geosyncline|Adelaide Geosyncline (Delamerian Orogeny)]] in that continent.
|style="background:{{period color|Tonian}}"| 1000<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|rowspan="3" style="background:{{period color|Mesoproterozoic}}"| [[Mesoproterozoic|Meso-<br />proterozoic]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|style="background:{{period color|Stenian}}"| [[Stenian]]
|colspan="3"| Narrow highly [[Metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] belts due to [[orogeny]] as [[Rodinia]] forms. Late Ruker / Nimrod Orogeny in Antarctica possibly begins. Musgrave Orogeny (c. 1080 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]), [[Musgrave Block]], [[Central Australia]].
|style="background:{{period color|Stenian}}"| 1200<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Ectasian}}"| [[Ectasian]]
|colspan="3"| [[Platform cover]]s continue to expand. [[Green algae]] [[colony (biology)|colonies]] in the seas. [[Grenville Orogeny]] in North America.
|style="background:{{period color|Ectasian}}"| 1400<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Calymmian}}"| [[Calymmian]]
|colspan="3"| [[Platform cover]]s expand. Barramundi Orogeny, [[McArthur Basin]], [[Northern Australia]], and Isan Orogeny, [[circa|c.]]1600 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]], Mount Isa Block, Queensland
|style="background:{{period color|Calymmian}}"| 1600<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Paleoproterozoic}}"| [[Paleoproterozoic|Paleo-<br />proterozoic]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|style="background:{{period color|Statherian}}"| [[Statherian]]
|colspan="3"| First [[Eukaryote|complex single-celled life]]: [[protist]]s with nuclei. [[Columbia (supercontinent)|Columbia]] is the primordial supercontinent. Kimban Orogeny in Australian Continent ends. Yapungku Orogeny on [[Yilgarn craton]], in Western Australia. Mangaroon Orogeny, 1680–1620 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]], on the [[Gascoyne Complex]] in Western Australia. Kararan Orogeny (1650-[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]), Gawler Craton, [[South Australia]].
|style="background:{{period color|Statherian}}"| 1800<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Orosirian}}"| [[Orosirian]]
|colspan="3"| The [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] becomes [[oxygen]]ic. [[Vredefort crater|Vredefort]] and [[Sudbury Basin]] asteroid impacts. Much [[orogeny]]. [[Penokean orogeny|Penokean]] and [[Trans-Hudsonian Orogeny|Trans-Hudsonian Orogenies]] in North America. Early Ruker Orogeny in Antarctica, 2000 - 1700 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]. Glenburgh Orogeny, [[Gascoyne Complex|Glenburgh Terrane]], [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]] [[circa|c.]] 2005–1920 [[Year#SI prefix multipliers|Ma]]. Kimban Orogeny, [[Gawler craton]] in Australian Continent begins.
|style="background:{{period color|Orosirian}}"| 2050<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Rhyacian}}"| [[Rhyacian]]
|colspan="3"| [[Bushveld Igneous Complex]] forms. [[Huronian]] glaciation.
|style="background:{{period color|Rhyacian}}"| 2300<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Siderian}}"| [[Siderian]]
|colspan="3"| [[Oxygen catastrophe]]: [[banded iron formation]]s forms. Sleaford Orogeny on [[Australia (Continent)|Australian Continent]], [[Gawler Craton]] 2440–2420 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]].
|style="background:{{period color|Siderian}}"| 2500<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Archean}}"| [[Archean]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|style="background:{{period color|Neoarchean}}"| [[Neoarchean]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|colspan="4"| Stabilization of most modern [[craton]]s; possible [[Mantle (geology)|mantle]] overturn event. Insell Orogeny, 2650 ± 150 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]. [[Abitibi greenstone belt]] in present-day [[Ontario]] and [[Quebec]] begins to form, stabilizes by 2600 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]].
|style="background:{{period color|Neoarchean}}"| 2800<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Mesoarchean}}"| [[Mesoarchean]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|colspan="4"| First [[stromatolite]]s (probably [[colony (biology)|colonial]] [[cyanobacteria]]). Oldest [[macrofossil]]s. Humboldt Orogeny in Antarctica. [[Blake River Megacaldera Complex]] begins to form in present-day [[Ontario]] and [[Quebec]], ends by roughly 2696[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]].
|style="background:{{period color|Mesoarchean}}"| 3200<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Paleoarchean}}"| [[Paleoarchean]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|colspan="4"| First known [[phototroph|oxygen-producing]] [[bacteria]]. Oldest definitive [[microfossils]]. Oldest [[craton]]s on Earth (such as the [[Canadian Shield]] and the [[Pilbara Craton]]) may have formed during this period. Rayner Orogeny in Antarctica.
|style="background:{{period color|Paleoarchean}}"| 3600<ref name="absolute-age" />
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Eoarchean}}"| [[Eoarchean]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" />
|colspan="4"| [[Prokaryote|Simple single-celled life]] (probably [[bacteria]] and [[archaea]]). Oldest probable [[microfossil]]s.
|style="background:{{period color|Eoarchean}}"| 4000
|-
|rowspan="4" style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| [[Hadean]]<br />
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| [[Early Imbrian]]
|colspan="4"| Indirect [[photosynthetic]] evidence (e.g., [[kerogen]]) of primordial life. This era overlaps the end of the [[Late Heavy Bombardment]] of the [[inner solar system|inner]] [[solar system]].
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| c.4100
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| [[Nectarian]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" /><ref name="Lunar-geologic-timescale-names" />
|colspan="4"| This unit gets its name from the [[lunar geologic timescale]] when the [[Nectaris Basin]] and other greater [[lunar basin]]s form by big [[impact event]]s.
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| c.4300
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| [[Basin Groups]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" /><ref name="Lunar-geologic-timescale-names" />
|colspan="4"| Oldest known rock (4030 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]). The first [[organism|life form]]s and [[self-replication|self-replicating]] [[RNA]] [[molecule]]s evolve around 4000 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]], after the [[Late Heavy Bombardment]] ends on Earth. [[Napier_Mountains|Napier]] Orogeny in Antarctica, 4000 ± 200 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]].
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| c.4500
|-
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| [[Cryptic era|Cryptic]]<ref name="Precambrian-Time" /><ref name="Lunar-geologic-timescale-names" />
|colspan="4"| Oldest known [[mineral]] ([[Zircon]], 4404 ± 8 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]). Formation of [[Moon]](4533 [[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]]), probably from [[Giant_impact_hypothesis|giant impact]]. Formation of [[Earth]] (4567.17 to 4570[[Year#SI_prefix_multipliers|Ma]])
|style="background:{{period color|Hadean}}"| c.4567
|}</div>
<includeonly>
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</includeonly><noinclude>
<div style="text-align:left">
{{reflist|2}}
</div>
</div>
[[Category:Historical geology|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Historical period templates|Geologic time scale]]
[[Category:Geology templates|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Historical geology|{{PAGENAME}}]]
</noinclude>