Embark on an epic adventure through the ages with our free geologic time scale quiz . Whether you're a curious student, a budding geologist itching for a geologic era quiz, or an earth science enthusiast, this interactive challenge tests your recall of Precambrian mysteries, Paleozoic surprises, and Mesozoic marvels. Dive into geologic time scale questions, measure your skills in a fun geologic time periods quiz, and uncover intriguing earth history trivia along the way. Ready for more? After you've mastered the Jurassic and Devonian, push your limits with our Earth Science Quiz . Click "Start Quiz" now to journey through eons and see how you rank among explorers!
Easy
Which eon are we currently in?
Archean
Hadean
Phanerozoic
Proterozoic
Earth's current eon is the Phanerozoic, which began approximately 541 million years ago and is characterized by abundant fossil records, including most modern phyla. This eon follows the Proterozoic and encompasses three eras: Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. The name "Phanerozoic" means "visible life," reflecting the sudden increase in complex organisms. For more information, see Wikipedia: Phanerozoic Eon.
The Mesozoic Era is often called the Age of what?
Mammals
Reptiles
Fish
Amphibians
The Mesozoic Era, spanning from about 252 to 66 million years ago, is commonly known as the Age of Reptiles due to the dominance of dinosaurs. During this era, reptiles diversified and occupied many ecological niches on land, in the sea, and in the air. The Mesozoic is divided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. More details can be found at Britannica: Mesozoic Era.
What is the first period of the Paleozoic Era?
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
The Cambrian Period marks the beginning of the Paleozoic Era, starting around 541 million years ago. It is notable for the 'Cambrian Explosion,' a rapid diversification of life forms in the fossil record. This period follows the Ediacaran and precedes the Ordovician. Read more at Wikipedia: Cambrian Period.
The Cenozoic Era began approximately how many million years ago?
145 million years ago
66 million years ago
252 million years ago
5 million years ago
The Cenozoic Era commenced about 66 million years ago, following the mass extinction event that ended the Mesozoic Era. It is divided into the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary periods and continues to the present day. This era is often called the Age of Mammals because mammals diversified after the dinosaurs' extinction. More details at Britannica: Cenozoic Era.
Which period is known for the "Cambrian Explosion"?
Permian
Silurian
Cambrian
Ordovician
The term "Cambrian Explosion" refers to the rapid diversification of multicellular life that occurred during the Cambrian Period, approximately 541 to 485 million years ago. This event saw the emergence of most major animal phyla and a dramatic increase in the complexity of organisms. It marks one of the most significant evolutionary milestones in Earth's history. For further reading, see Wikipedia: Cambrian Explosion.
Which era saw the diversification of mammals after the extinction of dinosaurs?
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Proterozoic
Paleozoic
After the end-Cretaceous mass extinction 66 million years ago, mammals diversified and became the dominant terrestrial animals during the Cenozoic Era. This era follows the Mesozoic and includes periods such as the Paleogene and Neogene. The rise of mammals marks significant ecological shifts and the appearance of many modern mammal groups. See Britannica: Cenozoic Era for more.
The largest mass extinction occurred at the end of which period?
Triassic
Devonian
Jurassic
Permian
The Permian-Triassic extinction event, around 252 million years ago, is considered the most severe mass extinction in Earth's history, wiping out approximately 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species. This boundary marks the end of the Permian Period. Causes are still debated but may include volcanic activity and climate change. For more information, consult Wikipedia: Permian - Triassic extinction event.
The Devonian Period is sometimes called the Age of Fishes.
False
True
The Devonian Period, spanning 419 to 359 million years ago, witnessed an explosion in fish diversity, earning it the nickname "Age of Fishes." During this time, groups such as placoderms, lobe-finned fish, and early sharks became widespread. It also saw the first forests and terrestrial vertebrates. Learn more at Britannica: Devonian Period.
Medium
Which period follows the Jurassic in the Mesozoic Era?
Cretaceous
Triassic
Permian
Paleogene
In the Mesozoic Era, the Jurassic Period (201 - 145 million years ago) is followed by the Cretaceous Period (145 - 66 million years ago). The Cretaceous saw continued dinosaur dominance and the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea. It ended with the extinction event that eliminated non-avian dinosaurs. For details, see Wikipedia: Cretaceous Period.
What is the name of the boundary marking the end of the Cretaceous and start of the Paleogene?
K-Pg boundary
K-T boundary
Triassic-Jurassic boundary
Permian-Triassic boundary
The boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods is known as the Cretaceous - Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, occurring around 66 million years ago. This layer is marked worldwide by a thin sediment rich in iridium from the asteroid impact that triggered a mass extinction. It was formerly called the K-T boundary. More on this at Wikipedia: K-Pg boundary.
The Hadean Eon is characterized by which major event?
Explosion of multicellular life
Formation of solid crust
Mass extinction
First ice ages
The Hadean Eon (about 4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago) marks Earth's very earliest history, during which the planet cooled enough to form a solid crust. This eon precedes the Archean and has no known fossil record due to extreme conditions. The name derives from Hades, reflecting the hellish environment. Read more at Wikipedia: Hadean.
Which period is known for widespread glaciations referred to as 'Snowball Earth'?
Ediacaran
Ordovician
Cryogenian
Cambrian
The Cryogenian Period (720 - 635 million years ago) is noted for severe ice ages, during which ice sheets may have covered most of the planet, a hypothesis known as 'Snowball Earth.' These glaciations preceded the diversification of complex life in the Ediacaran. Geological evidence includes glacial deposits at paleoequatorial latitudes. For more, see Wikipedia: Cryogenian.
During which eon did most of Earth's continental crust form?
Archean
Proterozoic
Hadean
Phanerozoic
The Proterozoic Eon (2.5 billion to 541 million years ago) saw significant stabilization and growth of the continental crust. Plate tectonics became more comparable to present-day processes, and large landmasses formed. It ended with the advent of abundant, complex life in the Cambrian. Learn more at Wikipedia: Proterozoic.
Which period in the Paleozoic Era is known for the first extensive terrestrial vertebrates?
Silurian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Cambrian
The Carboniferous Period (359 - 299 million years ago) is characterized by the proliferation of amniotes and extensive swamp forests that formed coal deposits. This period saw the first reptiles and diverse amphibians colonizing terrestrial environments. The name 'Carboniferous' refers to its vast coal-bearing formations. More at Wikipedia: Carboniferous.
The Ediacaran fauna belong to which period?
Ediacaran
Ordovician
Cryogenian
Cambrian
The Ediacaran Period (635 - 541 million years ago) hosts the earliest known complex multicellular organisms, collectively called the Ediacaran fauna. These soft-bodied organisms predate the Cambrian Explosion. The period follows the Cryogenian and sets the stage for Cambrian biodiversity. More information at Wikipedia: Ediacaran Period.
Which era spans from 541 million to 252 million years ago?
Cenozoic
Paleozoic
Mesozoic
Precambrian
The Paleozoic Era extends from about 541 to 252 million years ago and includes six periods: Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian. It witnessed the rise of marine life, land plants, and vertebrates. The end-Permian mass extinction closes this era. See Wikipedia: Paleozoic Era.
Hard
Which period immediately precedes the Silurian Period?
Devonian
Carboniferous
Ordovician
Cambrian
The Ordovician Period (485 - 444 million years ago) directly follows the Cambrian and precedes the Silurian in the Paleozoic Era. It is known for marine biodiversification and the first vertebrates. The end of the Ordovician featured a major glaciation and mass extinction. More at Wikipedia: Ordovician Period.
During which period did the first forests appear?
Triassic
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
The first extensive forests evolved during the Late Devonian Period (419 - 359 million years ago), featuring early tree-like plants such as Archaeopteris. These forests contributed to soil formation and changes in the carbon cycle. Their rise had profound ecological impacts. Read more at Wikipedia: Devonian Terrestrial Life.
Which period includes the famous Burgess Shale fossil deposits?
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Devonian
The Burgess Shale in Canada dates to the Middle Cambrian, about 508 million years ago, and is renowned for its exceptional preservation of soft-bodied organisms. It provides key insights into early animal diversity during the Cambrian Explosion. This site has been critical to understanding Cambrian ecosystems. Details at Wikipedia: Burgess Shale.
The Phanerozoic Eon is divided into how many eras?
Three
Four
Five
Two
The Phanerozoic Eon is subdivided into three major eras: Paleozoic (541 - 252 million years ago), Mesozoic (252 - 66 million years ago), and Cenozoic (66 million years ago to present). Each era is further divided into periods based on significant changes in Earth's biota and geology. This three-era structure is widely used in geologic time scales. See Wikipedia: Phanerozoic Eras.
Which epoch is characterized by the last ice age maximum?
Pleistocene
Miocene
Holocene
Eocene
The Pleistocene Epoch (2.58 million to 11,700 years ago) includes the last glacial maximum when ice sheets covered large parts of North America and Eurasia. It witnessed multiple glacial and interglacial cycles and the evolution of Homo sapiens. The Holocene follows it, marking post-glacial conditions. More at Wikipedia: Pleistocene.
Which age marks the most recent subdivision of the Holocene Epoch?
Gelasian
Northgrippian
Meghalayan
Greenlandian
In 2018, the International Commission on Stratigraphy ratified the Meghalayan Age as the most recent subdivision of the Holocene Epoch, beginning 4,200 years ago. It is characterized by global climatic shifts that affected ancient civilizations. The Greenlandian and Northgrippian are older subdivisions. For details, see Wikipedia: Holocene Subdivisions.
What dating method uses the decay of uranium to lead to determine absolute ages?
Radiocarbon dating
Luminescence dating
Potassium-argon dating
Uranium - lead dating
Uranium - lead dating measures the decay of uranium isotopes to lead in minerals such as zircon and can provide precise ages for rocks over millions to billions of years. It is one of the oldest and most reliable radiometric dating methods. The technique helps establish the absolute geologic time scale. More information at Wikipedia: Uranium - lead dating.
Which period saw the first appearance of ammonites?
Cambrian
Devonian
Carboniferous
Silurian
Ammonites first appeared during the Early Devonian Period, around 419 million years ago, and became widespread and diverse through the Mesozoic before their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous. Their rapid evolution makes them valuable index fossils for biostratigraphy. Read more at Wikipedia: Ammonoidea.
Expert
Approximately how many million years ago did the Permian-Triassic extinction occur?
66 million years ago
252 million years ago
359 million years ago
201 million years ago
The Permian - Triassic extinction event occurred around 252 million years ago and is the most severe extinction event in Earth's history, eliminating an estimated 90 - 96% of marine species. It marks the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods. This event set the stage for the Mesozoic recovery and the rise of dinosaurs. More details at Wikipedia: Permian - Triassic extinction event.
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Study Outcomes
Identify Major Geologic Eras -
Distinguish and name the principal eras of the geologic time scale - from the Precambrian through the Quaternary - using clear era definitions.
List Key Geologic Periods -
Recall and match the major periods within each era, such as the Jurassic or Devonian, to understand Earth's chronological framework.
Sequence Geologic Events -
Arrange significant milestones (like mass extinctions and major evolutionary leaps) in the correct temporal order on the geologic time scale.
Apply Chronological Reasoning -
Use your quiz results to gauge how well you can place events and periods in Earth history trivia questions with accuracy.
Analyze Knowledge Gaps -
Interpret your quiz feedback to identify which geologic time scale questions need review, helping you focus your study on weaker areas.
Cheat Sheet
Radiometric Dating Foundations -
Understanding how uranium - lead and potassium - argon decay are used to date rocks is crucial. The age equation t = (1/λ) ln(1 + D/P) calculates time (t) using decay constant (λ) and daughter (D) and parent (P) ratios. This principle is the backbone of most geologic time scale questions (USGS).
Precambrian Supereon Mnemonics -
The Precambrian spans nearly 4 billion years and covers the Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic eons. Use the mnemonic "Happy Apes Paint" to recall Hadean - Archean - Proterozoic. This supereon accounts for about 88% of Earth's history, a fact often tested in earth history trivia (International Commission on Stratigraphy).
Paleozoic Era Breakdown -
The six periods - Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian - mark dramatic biodiversification and the first land vertebrates. A classic mnemonic is "Camels Often Sit Down Carefully, Perhaps" to lock in sequence. These stages form a core section of any geologic time periods quiz (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History).
Mesozoic vs Cenozoic Characteristics -
Distinguishing the Mesozoic (Triassic - Jurassic - Cretaceous) from the Cenozoic (Paleogene - Neogene - Quaternary) is key: the former is the "Age of Reptiles," the latter the "Age of Mammals." Remember "Try Just Creating" and "Powerful New Questions" to sequence both eras. This comparison often appears in geologic era quiz segments for clear recall (NASA Earth Observatory).
The Big Five Mass Extinctions -
The end-Ordovician, Late Devonian, end-Permian, end-Triassic, and end-Cretaceous events shifted global biodiversity across eras. Recall "O, Don't Play The Cello" to memorize the extinction order. Mastering these mass extinction markers will boost your score on any geologic time scale quiz or earth history trivia challenge (Geological Society of America).
