A Brief History of Geologic Time

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Published 2017-11-06
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By looking at the layers beneath our feet, geologists have been able to identify and describe crucial episodes in life’s history. These key events frame the chapters in the story of life on earth and the system we use to bind all these chapters together is the Geologic Time Scale.

Thanks to Studio 252mya for their illustrations. You can find more of their work here: 252mya.com/licensing

Produced for PBS Digital Studios.

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Addition to image credits: some footage from this episode is from VideoBlocks.com

All Comments (21)
  • I feel extremely lucky to be living in this specific part in time when science allows us to find some of these things out.
  • @AxuanJss
    “...No matter how our chapter ends up, we get to be characters in a truly amazing story.” It’s inspiring indeed.
  • @ikm64
    The two branches of science that truly make you feel insignificant: Astro Physics and Geology. Yes, we are really that small, in every way possible to imagine.
  • @Monchich94
    Step 1: Get ready for bed Step 2: See new Eons video Step 3: Watch new Eons video Step 4: Fall into science video rabbit hole for the next few hours Step 5: Get no sleep Damn you PBS Eons, but also I love you..
  • @dingo1547
    It's a bug it's a fish. It's weird strange water bugs and strange fish. ITS THE CAMBRIAN EXPLOSION.
  • @crappozappo
    "And our very bodies will be the index fossils of this time." That is f**king metal
  • I would love to see Supercontinents and relative climate. I want to physically see how the continents moved with reference to what life forms were living on it during these periods. Thank you!
  • @bobharris5872
    Thank you sharing your lectures with us. I'm 68 and I'm watching because I would like to understand the forces and processes that formed this world. I normally watch on my TV but I'm using my computer this morning. From Pico Rivera, (LA).
  • @mbrannon
    Hey,I just wanted to jump in and tell you how happy I was to see the most recent couple longer episodes. I had made a post a few weeks ago about how I loved the show but I felt that the length was too short and it needed more. You replied and let me know there were some longer form episodes coming. I know that it will change from episode to episode, but I just wanted to make sure you guys knew I really enjoyed the longer ones. You guys are an inspiration and I wish that we had these when I was younger. I have a nephew who loves these as well. He's a little too young to fully understand but too old for much of the children's content on similar subjects so I spend some time every week "translating" these for him into a kid friendly format - retaining as much of the information as possible but explaining it in a way that a 10 year old can really wrap his head around and digest. He really loved the episodes on the illustrated history of dinosaurs and when whales could walk. And I've enjoyed them all. It's great. Cheers.
  • @faraha87
    This is absolutely fantastic. Thank you guys for your tremendous efforts that make this channel stand out
  • @stinew358
    I live in an area where I can walk to the late cambrian and end in the mesozoic. There are trace fossils everywhere and I can see the remains of the eruptions that broke up Pangaea. It is an honor to be able to look at the traces of events of that magnitude
  • It’s oddly comforting to know the earth with survive humans and life will go on no matter the level of destruction we bring.
  • @chrisluckey2916
    I teach Earth Science and I’d Love some videos that focus on the methods used by historical geologists like paleomagnetism, ice core sampling, radio metric dating, etc. THANKS! Love this channel!
  • @Mazidox
    I love these longer form vids!
  • @MsSilvain
    “I still miss those guys” - unquestionably my favourite funny quote in this video. I love your knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humour, guys! Thank you for making those videos. You make a difference in this internet full of worthless crap! 🙂❤️😊
  • @stonerdemon
    I'm currently reading "At The Mountains Of Madness" by H.P. Lovecraft, and all the plot about incredibly ancient times and beings just fueled my geological curiosity. I'm glad I found this channel!