Assignment Instructions

Travel back in the geologic time period of choice from the Phanerozoic Eon (e.g. Cambrian, Ordovician, Permian, Triassic, Cretaceous, Neogene, Quaternary). See the Geologic Time Scale posted in the Overview for this module. Do some research and then answer the following questions in a narrative format to help inform the class about this period. Optional – you may choose to be creative and write this as a first-person account as though you were able to travel back in time and witness this for yourself.  

  1. Name that period. When was it, and how long did it last?
  2. What is this period known for?
  3. What significant events took place during that period?
  4. What were some examples of plant and/or animal life during that period?
  5. Keeping in mind that the current atmospheric concentration of CO2 is roughly 400ppm (or 0.040%), what is known about the CO2 concentration on the planet at that time? Was it higher or lower than now?
  6. Was there a mass extinction event associated with the beginning or end of this Period?  Explain.
  7. Include a link to the Internet resources and/or images you used.
  8. Use a catchy title for your post.