These are put in order of older to newer. Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic.
The Precambrian.
Periods
eras
The largest divisions of time on the geological time scale are eons, which are the longest units of time and are further divided into eras. The current eon, the Phanerozoic Eon, is divided into three eras: Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Each era is further subdivided into periods, epochs, and ages.
The geologic time scale provides a timeline of Earth's history, dividing it into periods based on significant events and changes in the planet's environment. The major divisions of geological time are eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages, each reflecting different intervals of time with distinct characteristics and geological events.
Precambrian Era, Paleozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Cenozoic Era
Geological time eras are divided into periods, which are further divided into epochs. Each era represents a significant span of time in Earth's history, characterized by distinctive geological and biological events. These divisions help scientists organize and study the vast expanse of Earth's history.
The four major divisions of time, from longest to shortest, are eons, eras, periods, and epochs. Eons are the largest intervals, encompassing significant geological and biological changes. Eras are subdivisions of eons, followed by periods, which further break down eras, and epochs, the smallest divisions, provide even finer detail within periods. These divisions help scientists organize Earth's history and understand the evolution of life and geological events.
Precambrian Cambrian
Chronostratigraphic divisions of the geologic timescale are in units of geological material, while geochronologic divisions are periods of time. It is important to make this distinction because while you can visit a deposit of fossils from a certain time period (the geological material; chronostratigraphy), you can visit the actual time period (geochronology).
Eras are based one the worldwide changes in types of fossils. Periods are based on types of life worldwide. The Cenozoic era is the geological time scale is divided into both periods and epoch.
The divisions of geological time, known as geologic time scales, are not standard lengths like 100 million years because they are based on significant events in Earth's history, such as mass extinctions and major geological changes, rather than a uniform passage of time. These divisions reflect the complex and uneven nature of Earth's geological and biological evolution. Additionally, the varying rates of sedimentation, tectonic activity, and biological development contribute to the irregular lengths of these divisions. As a result, some periods may last millions of years while others may only last a fraction of that time.