Which of the following is NOT a geologic time period?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a geologic time period?

Explanation:
The concept being tested is the naming scale of the geologic time chart and how its units fit together. A geologic “period” is a major division of time, larger than an “epoch,” which is a subdivision within a period. Devonian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous are all geologic time periods. Devonian sits in the Paleozoic Era, while Jurassic and Cretaceous are in the Mesozoic Era. Eocene, on the other hand, is an epoch within the Paleogene Period, meaning it is a smaller subdivision of time than a period. So, Eocene is not a geologic time period; it’s an epoch.

The concept being tested is the naming scale of the geologic time chart and how its units fit together. A geologic “period” is a major division of time, larger than an “epoch,” which is a subdivision within a period.

Devonian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous are all geologic time periods. Devonian sits in the Paleozoic Era, while Jurassic and Cretaceous are in the Mesozoic Era. Eocene, on the other hand, is an epoch within the Paleogene Period, meaning it is a smaller subdivision of time than a period.

So, Eocene is not a geologic time period; it’s an epoch.

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