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1. Which era is the first that shows life on Earth? Cenozoic Archean

Ask by Dickson Park. in the United States
Jan 24,2025

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The **Archean** eon is the first period that shows evidence of life on Earth.

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The **Archean** is the earliest **eon** that provides evidence of life on Earth. While you mentioned "Archean" as an option, it's important to clarify the geological time scale terminology: - **Eons** are the largest time divisions in Earth's history. The Archean eon spans from about 4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago. - **Eras** are subdivisions within eons. For example, within the Phanerozoic eon (which began around 541 million years ago), there are the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. **Key Points:** 1. **Archean Eon:** - **Time Frame:** Approximately 4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago. - **Significance:** This is the first eon where we find evidence of life, primarily in the form of simple single-celled organisms like prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria and archaea). - **Geological Activity:** Formation of the Earth's first stable continental crust and the emergence of early oceans. 2. **Cenozoic Era:** - **Time Frame:** Begins around 66 million years ago and continues to the present day. - **Significance:** Known as the "Age of Mammals," this era saw the rise of mammals and birds, as well as significant climatic and geological changes. - **Life Forms:** Diverse and complex life, including humans. **Conclusion:** The **Archean** eon is the first known time period in Earth's history that shows evidence of life. The **Cenozoic** era, on the other hand, is much more recent and pertains to the current phase in Earth's biological and geological development.

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The Archean Era, which began around 4 billion years ago and lasted until about 2.5 billion years ago, is the first era that shows evidence of life on Earth. During this time, the planet was still forming its crust, and the atmosphere was mostly made up of methane and ammonia. The earliest known life forms were simple single-celled organisms, such as prokaryotes, which set the foundation for more complex life in later eras. Fast forward a couple of billion years, and the Cenozoic Era, which began about 66 million years ago, is often referred to as the "Age of Mammals." This era followed the mass extinction that ended the reign of the dinosaurs and allowed mammals to diversify and thrive. Today, we're living in the Cenozoic and experiencing remarkable evolutionary changes right before our eyes!

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