Geologic Time: Selected Information Sources

Look for the information you need about geologic time in the IMC's many full-text databases, and visit the web sites below. Still having trouble finding what you need? Stop by the IMC - Mrs. O'Keefe will be happy to help you!

Geologic Time, from Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA-supported Classroom of the Future

Tour of Geologic Time from the University of California Museum of Paleontology
This terrific site features information about the history of the geologic time scale as well as about specific geologic time periods.

BrainPOP: Geologic Time

Geologic Time Scale
This terrific Enchanted Learning site organizes geological time by eon, era, period and epoch, and features information about "pivotal events" for each period. Click on the many links to more detailed information about the geological time period(s) you are researching.

Paleomap Project
This site, created by Christopher R. Scotese, features terrific maps illustrating the earth's history, climates throughout geological time, and more.

Clickable Geologic Time Scale

Geologic Time Scale created by the Bryant Watershed Education Project

Geologic Time, by William Newman
This USGS publication includes the following sections: Geologic Time; Relative Time Scale; Major Divisions of Geologic Time (featuring brief explanations of each major division); Index Fossils; Radiometric Time Scale; and Age of the Earth.

Geologic Time Scale / From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
This site features loads of useful information, including a history of the time scale, as well as a detailed table of geologic time.

GSA Geologic Time Scale
This site offers a high-quality, printable geologic time scale, including the Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic and Precambrian eras.

Web Geological Time Machine
This site provides a good deal of information, as well as color images, about each era and period. You may also want to take the Tour of Geologic Time.

SEARCHASAURUS DATABASE COLLECTION
(Ask an IMC staff member for the User ID and Password you'll need to access this database.)
The Searchasaurus database includes: Middle Search Plus (a collection of 143 full-text magazines, ideal for middle school students); the full text of the Encyclopedia of Animals; Primary Search (a collection of 68 full-text magazines, with a reading level appropriate for students in grades K-5); and a general encyclopedia, dictionary, and imgages collection. Searchasaurus features a detailed encyclopedia entry for each era and period.

REFERENCE BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE IMC

Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 1989. (REF 910.3 Exp)
This terrific resource is organized alphabetically by subject. Students who look for the "Geologic Time Scale" entry will find an informative encyclopedia article, as well as a helpful table, which provides detailed information about "Development of the Earth" and "Development of Life".

Fossils. (vol. 3, from the series Earth Science: Discovering the Secrets of the Earth) Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 2001. (REF 550 Ear)
This volume offers an excellent explanation of the process of fossilization, a discusson of common fossils, and a description of the fossils that existed during each era and period.

Geological Time. (vol. 7, from the series Earth Science: Discovering the Secrets of the Earth) Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 2001. (REF 550 Ear)
This volume offers a detailed description of each era and period, including an overview, discussion of life forms, rocks and mineral present, and color maps and illustrations.

Oldershaw, Cally. Atlas of Geology and Landforms. New York: Franklin Watts, 2001. (REF 550 Old)
This atlas contains a great deal of useful information, in particular the "Fossils" (pp.46-47) and "Learning from Fossils" (pp.48-49) articles.