Welcome to Earth's Complete Timeline

Explore 4.5 Billion Years of Earth's History

A visual journey through time, from the formation of our planet to the present day, exploring the incredible story of life on Earth.

Did You Know?

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Overview of Earth's History

Our planet has witnessed dramatic changes over 4.5 billion years, from its fiery beginning to the complex biosphere we know today.

1

Hadean Eon

4.5-4.0 billion years ago. Earth forms from the solar nebula, with a molten surface and constant meteorite bombardment.

2

Archean Eon

4.0-2.5 billion years ago. First continents form, simple life emerges, and photosynthesis begins changing the atmosphere.

3

Proterozoic Eon

2.5-0.5 billion years ago. Oxygen levels rise, multicellular life evolves, and the first animals appear in the oceans.

4

Paleozoic Era

541-252 million years ago. Life explodes in diversity, fish evolve, plants and animals colonize land, and massive forests form.

5

Mesozoic Era

252-66 million years ago. The age of dinosaurs, first mammals and birds evolve, and flowering plants appear across the landscape.

6

Cenozoic Era

66 million years ago to present. Mammals diversify, primates evolve, ice ages reshape the planet, and humans emerge to transform Earth.

Formation

4.5 BYA

First Life

3.5 BYA

Oxygen Rise

2.4 BYA

Cambrian

540 MYA

Dinosaurs

230 MYA

Present

Now

Key Moments in Earth's History

From its fiery formation to the rise of human civilization, explore the pivotal events that shaped our world.

Formation of Earth

Formation of Earth

Our planet formed 4.5 billion years ago from a swirling disk of gas and dust around the young sun, gradually cooling from a molten state.

First Oceans

First Oceans

As the planet cooled, water vapor condensed into the first oceans around 3.8 billion years ago, creating the environment for life to begin.

First Life

First Life

Simple single-celled organisms appeared in the oceans around 3.5 billion years ago, beginning the incredible story of life on Earth.

Dinosaur Age

Dinosaur Age

Dinosaurs dominated Earth for over 160 million years, evolving into countless species before a massive extinction event 66 million years ago.

Mass Extinctions

Mass Extinctions

Earth has experienced five major mass extinctions, with the most severe Permian-Triassic event wiping out 96% of marine species.

Human Evolution

Human Evolution

Modern humans evolved in Africa around 300,000 years ago, eventually spreading across the planet and developing complex civilizations.

Ice Ages

Ice Ages

Over the last 2.6 million years, Earth has cycled through multiple ice ages, with ice sheets expanding and retreating across continents.

Tectonic Shifts

Tectonic Shifts

The continents have drifted across the globe, repeatedly joining into supercontinents like Pangaea and then breaking apart over billions of years.

Earth's Geological Timeline

From molten beginnings to the rise of civilization, explore the key periods that shaped our planet.

Hadean Eon

4.5-4.0 billion years ago

Hadean Eon

Molten Earth forms, constant meteorite bombardment, oldest rocks form, early oceans appear

  • Earth was a hellish, molten world
  • The Moon formed after a Mars-sized body collided with Earth
  • Temperatures reached over 2,000°C (3,600°F)
Archean Eon

4.0-2.5 billion years ago

Archean Eon

First continents form, simple single-celled life appears, photosynthesis begins

  • First microorganisms appeared
  • Cyanobacteria began producing oxygen
  • Oldest known fossils date to this period
Proterozoic Eon

2.5-0.5 billion years ago

Proterozoic Eon

Oxygen levels rise, complex cells evolve, first multicellular organisms appear

  • The Great Oxygenation Event occurred
  • First eukaryotic cells evolved
  • Snowball Earth periods covered the planet in ice
Paleozoic Era

541-252 million years ago

Paleozoic Era

Cambrian explosion, plants and animals colonize land, insects evolve, early reptiles appear

  • The Cambrian Explosion diversified animal life
  • First vertebrates appeared
  • Ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history
Mesozoic Era

252-66 million years ago

Mesozoic Era

Age of dinosaurs, first mammals and birds evolve, flowering plants appear

  • Dinosaurs dominated terrestrial ecosystems
  • Pangaea supercontinent broke apart
  • Ended with the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs
Cenozoic Era

66 million years ago to present

Cenozoic Era

Mammals diversify, primates evolve, ice ages reshape the planet, humans emerge

  • Rise of mammals and birds as dominant land animals
  • Formation of modern continents and mountain ranges
  • Evolution of humans and the development of civilization

Did You Know?

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Continue Your Journey

There's so much more to discover about Earth's fascinating history.

Full Timeline

Explore the Full Timeline

Journey through every major period of Earth's development

Famous Fossils

Discover Key Events

Learn about the pivotal moments that shaped our world

Interesting Facts

Fascinating Facts

Explore surprising and amazing facts about Earth's history