Geologic time

General Information Product
By:

Links

Abstract

The Earth is very old 4 1/2 billion years or more according to recent estimates. This vast span of time, called geologic time by earth scientists, is difficult to comprehend in the familiar time units of months and years, or even centuries. How then do scientists reckon geologic time, and why do they believe the Earth is so old? A great part of the secret of the Earth's age is locked up in its rocks, and our centuries-old search for the key led to the beginning and nourished the growth of geologic science.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Unnumbered Series
Title Geologic time
Series title General Information Product
DOI 10.3133/70039221
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher U.S. Government Printing Office
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Description 22 p.
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details