Geologic Time
Scales
Geologic
Time
Precambrian
Paleozoic
Era
Cambrian
Period
Ordovician
Period
Silurian
Period
Devonian
Period
Carboniferous Period
Mesozoic
Era
Triassic
Period
Jurassic
Period
Cretaceous
Period
Cenozoic
Era
Tertiary
Period
Quaternary
Period
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Kevin C. HartzogGeologic Time Scales
Carboniferous Period
Dating from 360-286mya, the Carboniferous Period began after the second major extinction of life on Earth. With the Carboniferous, insects evolved wings, and certain amphibians evolved amniotic eggs, allowing for the evolution of reptiles. Temperatures became milder, marking a decline in the number of ferns and large insects.
The Carboniferous Period can be further divided into two epochs, the
Mississippian, or Lower Carboniferous, and the Pennsylvanian, or Upper
Carboniferous. The Mississippian fossils are found in strata of limestone,
while the Pennsylvanian fossils are found in coal-bearing layers of rocks.
The Mississippian Epoch dates 360-325mya. The Pennsylvania Epoch dates
325-286mya.