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Eons: The World Before Plate Tectonics

9 minutes 24 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

Long before evolution on Earth kicked in with a vengeance, it seemed to stall completely. From 1.7 billion years ago, for a billion boring years, Earth remained a slimy, near-static world of algae and microbes. But the fact is, this period was anything but boring. In fact, it set the stage for the modern version of plate tectonics. Part of "Eons" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 9 minutes 24 seconds

An illustration depicts the dinosaur, Coelophysis, with new born Coelophysis in between its beak.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 32
10 minutes 37 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A painting depicts scientists comparing Piltdown Man's remains to other species. Charles Dawson and Sir Arthur Smith Woodward are seen standing together.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 33
9 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
An illustration depicts a pair of dinosaurs fighting each other.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 34
8 minutes 35 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
An illustration depicts a bat flying in sky.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 35
11 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
An illustration depicts a pair of reptile like dinosaurs running in a desert. Image credit: Ceri Thomas.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 36
8 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
An illustration depicts an extinct animal, the Giant Lemur.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 37
10 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
An illustration depicts the earth of 50 million years ago, with a supercontinent Laurasia. Caption, Paleographic animation by C R Scotese.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 38
11 minutes 3 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
An illustration depicts a theropod dinosaur, looking into a nest with eggs and newborn dinosaurs.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 39
7 minutes 28 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
A skull from the fossils of Homo floresiensis, and a rough sketch of the limbs of the fossil remains are presented.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 40
9 minutes 10 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
ASL
The sculpture, of a dragon sprawled, at the steps of Kinh Thien palace. Caption: Remains of Kinh Thien Palace.
Eons
Season 2 / Ep 41
12 minutes 18 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12