Although many things happened in the Precambrian Time, the Paleozoic Era is just as important. The Paleozoic is the second of the four major geologic era’s. It began 542 million years ago all the way through until 251 million years ago. This era consisted of 6 smaller time periods; Cambrian (542 million years ago - 488 million years ago), Ordovician (488 million years ago - 443 million years ago), Silurian (443 million years ago - 416 million years ago), Devonian (416 million years - 359 million years ago), Carboniferous (350 million years ago - 299 million years ago), and the Permian ( 299 million years ago - 251 million years ago). The Paleozoic Era is nicknamed the “Explosion of LIfe” and “Age of Invertebrates”. The climate is a very important element to the Paleozoic Era. In the beginning of the era the climate was very moderate. It was shifting between changing and stable. Towards the end on the climate the oxygen level increased and carbon dioxide levels reached the lowest they could go and that caused ice ages. Just like the Precambrian Time the continents changed just like the climate at the beginning to the end the era. In the beginning of the era the continents formed an outline around the edge of the southern hemisphere. Starting at the eastern tip of the equator down the edge to the south pole and then up to the western tip of the equator. Almost in a very wide “u” shape. Also there were three big circles in the south-eastern hemisphere. Towards the end of the end of the era the continents were almost combined in a supercontinent in the center of the earth but more towards the north western and south western hemisphere. Believe it or not, there were already actual landforms. First of all, Pangaea the supercontinent formed. Also, in Gondwana,India a mountain range formed from a collision of tectonic plates. Then the Himalayan mountains formed. The Appalachians formed from a collision that created Africa.
It is time to learn more about the animal and plant life of the Paleozoic era. 542 million years ago hard-shelled animals started to evolve and 540 million years ago the phylum (a coral like animal) developed. Then 530 million years ago marine reefs progressed. Those are only three of the living things that matured in this era.
There are more era’s after Paleozoic so according to scientists some major change in life form happened. But what? The Cambrian Extinction happened. 40-50% of living marine life was killed off. Scientists believe it was caused by sea level changes and oxygen exhaustion. This information raps up the Paleozoic Era, click on Mesozoic Era up top to learn about the next geologic era.
It is time to learn more about the animal and plant life of the Paleozoic era. 542 million years ago hard-shelled animals started to evolve and 540 million years ago the phylum (a coral like animal) developed. Then 530 million years ago marine reefs progressed. Those are only three of the living things that matured in this era.
There are more era’s after Paleozoic so according to scientists some major change in life form happened. But what? The Cambrian Extinction happened. 40-50% of living marine life was killed off. Scientists believe it was caused by sea level changes and oxygen exhaustion. This information raps up the Paleozoic Era, click on Mesozoic Era up top to learn about the next geologic era.