Name Aqsa Khawaja

Geo assignment 4
What are the major global events that occurred in the Proterozoic? (3)

The Proterozoic epoch, which lasted from 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago, was

notable for three major global events: the gradual rise in atmospheric oxygen

levels brought on by the evolution of organisms that can use light to produce

oxygen, the formation and dissolution of supercontinents like Rodina, and the

appearance and diversification of eukaryotic life forms, including the first animals.

What evidence is there that oxygen increased significantly in the Earth's

atmosphere in the Paleoproterozoic? (4)

The prevalence of banded iron formations and red beds, as well as carbon

isotope ratios in rocks from that time, are indications that oxygen levels in the

Earth's atmosphere grew dramatically throughout the Paleoproterozoic. They

imply that the oceans of the Earth once had enormous concentrations of

dissolved iron that were oxidized by photosynthetic organisms and precipitated as

iron oxide, and that oxygen-rich waters combined with iron-rich material to

produce iron oxide.

How do geologists know that the glaciation was widespread early in the

Proterozoic? (2)
Based on the discovery of glacial deposits including tillites and dropstones,

evidence of glacial erratics, and isotopic studies showing a fall in carbon dioxide

levels, geologists know that glaciation was prevalent early in the Proterozoic.

Unit seven

What reasons are there for the Wopmay orogen being referred to as a

“modern-style” orogen? (4)

The Wopmay orogen is referred to as being of "modern style" since it shares

several traits with other contemporary orogens, such as the Himalayas, including

being a collisional orogen, having significant thrust faults, and producing

metamorphic rocks.

What is Laurentia, and how did it form? What is its relationship to present-day

North America? (4)

The extinct continent of Laurentia, which was a piece of the supercontinent

Rodinia, was formed roughly 1.8 billion years ago. It came into existence because

of volcanic activity, sediment deposition, and mountain-building processes.

Including the Canadian Shield and significant mountain ranges like the

Appalachians and Rockies, Laurentia is still a significant component of the

geological underpinnings of North America. Despite having undergone substantial

geological changes over the previous billion years, it is nevertheless crucial to

comprehending the tectonic evolution of North America.

How did the Grenville orogeny relate to the Proterozoic continent, Rodinia? (2)

The creation of the supercontinent Rodinia was directly influenced by the

Grenville orogeny, a key geological event that took place between 1.3 and 1.0

billion years ago. Several mountain ranges in eastern and central North America

were created as a result of the collision of numerous smaller continental chunks,

notably Laurentia.

What is meant by the phrase “the Cambrian explosion of life”? (2)

The "Cambrian explosion of life" is the term used to describe a period 541 million

years ago when there was a sudden and fast diversification of complex animal life

forms. Simple, soft-bodied organisms dominated Earth's ecosystem before the

Cambrian explosion, but a wide range of complex, hard-shelled animals also

began to appear. A significant turning point in the history of life on Earth is

thought to have occurred with this incident.

Discuss the major differences between the Cambrian marine community and

the Ordovician marine community. (6)

Animal life rapidly expanded throughout the Cambrian period, giving rise to new

and complex body designs. Trilobites, brachiopods, and primitive arthropods

dominated the ecosystem, and new species developed in the various habitats that

Rodinia's super continental disintegration produced. The first true predators, such

as Anomalocarids, emerged during the Cambrian epoch, having a tremendous

impact on the marine ecosystem.

On the other hand, during the Ordovician epoch, trilobites continued to dominate

but were joined by new animal species including cephalopods and fish without

jaws. The geological environment was characterized by the closing of some ocean

basins and the development of new mountain ranges, which altered ocean

currents and the availability of nutrients. Pressure on the already-existing marine

community was still being put under pressure by the evolution of new predatory

species like jawed fish.

The appearance of skeletons near the beginning of the Cambrian was once

thought to be geologically instantaneous. Describe the better evidence we now

have for this development. What drove the need to have skeletons? (3)
It was originally believed that the emergence of skeletons at the beginning of the

Cambrian epoch was a geologically instantaneous occurrence, but more recent

research reveals that it was a more gradual process. The evolution of complicated

body designs and the creation of skeletons must have taken place over a longer

time span, according to fossil evidence from the Ediacaran period before it.

Uncertainty surrounds the driving factor behind the development of skeletons,

however it's possible that it was a reaction to greater predation pressure or

something to do with the emergence of novel forms of movement.

How and when was Pangea formed? What were the climatic results of the

formation of this supercontinent? (4)

Around 335 million years ago, a supercontinent called Pangaea existed. It was

created by the collision and fusing of several smaller continents over the course of

millions of years through plate tectonic processes. Pangaea's construction had

profound effects on the climate, causing many regions to become drier and more

arid as well as the development of major mountain ranges along the continent's

edges. These mountain ranges impacted the distribution of precipitation,

accelerated erosion, and changed air circulation patterns. A pivotal moment in

Earth's history, the birth of Pangaea had a profound effect on both the

development of life on Earth and the planet's environment.

Three mass extinctions took place during the Paleozoic. What possible

explanations are there for each event? (6)

Three mass extinction events that occurred throughout the history of life on Earth

took place in the Paleozoic. Here are several theories that could apply to each of

these occurrences:

The Late Ordovician Mass Extinction is thought to have taken place around 445

million years ago and was brought on by a combination of glaciation and swift sea

level shifts, which may have resulted in widespread environmental stress and the

extinction of numerous species.

The Late Devonian Mass Extinction: This event, which took place about 375

million years ago, is assumed to have been brought on by several elements,

including climatic change, anoxic ocean conditions, and maybe a string of strikes

from extraterrestrial objects.

The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history, the Permian-Triassic extinction,

often known as the "Great Dying," happened approximately 252 million years ago.

Up to 96% of all marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species became

extinct during this time. Large-scale volcanic activity, modifications in the

chemistry of the ocean, and impacts by extraterrestrial objects are a few potential

reasons of the Permian-Triassic extinction.

extinction of many species makes up the causes of mass extinctions, which are

frequently complicated and multifaceted. It can be challenging to pinpoint a

single reason in many situations, and it's possible that each occurrence was

affected by several other circumstances.