Last Update: July 15, 2008 8:41 am

Geo 112 Historical Geology  THA #2

The purpose of this assignment is to graphically illustrate the magnitude of geologic time.  Below are listed a number of significant events in earth history and the number of years before present each occurred.  You are to work IN YOUR LAB GROUP (I will not grade projects turned in by individuals).  You may create a graphic model of any kind but it must show TO SCALE the span of geologic time [For example, if marking off a length of cash register tape with each event, you could use a scale of 1 inch = 1 year...this obviously wouldn't work since you would need a total of 4.5 billion inches of cash register tape (see date of origin of earth below) which is approximately 71, 000 miles!]

Read through the dates provided before attempting to create your model that will show to true scale the span of geologic time.  For suggestions, you may want to draw a spiral with the age of the origin of the earth at its center or use a piece of string to mark off events in earth history along its length.  You must publicly display your project on the Cornell campus either inside or out.  You may use the Commons if you wish, either along the balcony or on the large vertical columns, or by setting up a table with a display. This project must be available for inspection by 9 a.m., MONDAY, DECEMBER 17th. 
 

EVENT AND YEARS BEFORE PRESENT