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The geologic time scale is divided into periods, which are then divided into epochs, which are further divided into ages. For example, the time of the dinosaurs lasted 3 periods (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous), each period had 3 epochs (late, early, middle), and each age fit into one of those. Many epochs have more than 1 age associated with them.

As for the basis for differentiating the eras, I'm not so sure. The only one I can say for sure is the end of the Cretaceous, which is when the dinosaurs suddenly became extinct due to a meteor impact. I think the divisions are based on significant, global-scale events that changed the world.

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What division in the geologic time scale is the shortest?

The shortest division in the geologic time scale is an Epoch. Epochs are subdivisions of a period and are typically tens of millions of years long.


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The geologic time scale is a system used by geologists to organize Earth's history into distinct time periods based on major geological events and changes. Its principal subdivisions are eons (such as the Precambrian and Phanerozoic), which are further divided into eras, periods, and epochs. These subdivisions help scientists understand and study the vast expanse of Earth's history in a structured manner.


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What is the shortest types of subdivisions of the geologic time scale?

The shortest subdivisions of the geologic time scale are epochs, which are part of periods. Each epoch represents a significant span of geological time characterized by specific events in Earth's history, such as climate changes or major biological developments. Below epochs are ages, which are even shorter time intervals that detail more precise geological or paleontological events.


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EonEraPeriodEpoch! :)


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In the division of geologic time scale the latest units are eons which are divided into eras eras are then divided into what?

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What do the relative geologic time and absolute geologic time combine to form?

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The Geologic Time Scale is divided up by four major intervals. In order from Largest to smallest: Eons are the largest time frame covering hundreds of millions of years. Eons are divided into smaller time intervals known as Eras. Eras are subdivided into Periods. Periods are broken into finer subdivisions known as Epochs.


What do you called the scale of time that records the events about the history of the earth?

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