Dinosaurs

4.6 Billion years ago
Earth is formed.

1.7 billion years ago
Vishnu Schift strata now visible in lower Grand Canyon was formed.

570 million years ago
The fossil record begins to show signs of fish, trilobites, coral and shellfish. This is the Cambrian period.

435 million years ago
The first land plants begin to grow in the earth's soil. This was the Silurian period.

354 million years ago
The fossil record begins to show signs of the first amphibians, reptiles and forests. This is called the Carboniferous.

245 million years ago
The first dinosaurs, mammals, turtles, crocodiles and frogs show in the fossil record.
This is called the Triassic.


190 million years ago
Dinosaurs ruled the land, and the first reptile birds begin to fly.
The Painted Desert soil is laid down to become rock.
The Petrified Desert's trees are buried and begin petrification.
This is the Jurassic.


140 million years ago
The final period of the Dinosaurs begins and sees the most dinosaurs on earth.
This is the Cretaceous

65 million years ago
The dinosaurs disappear from the fossil record.
Signs that meteor hit the earth off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico suggest global catastrophe, darkened skies for years, and a sudden drop in the available plant foods.
Snakes begin to cross the earth.
Ancestors of our modern mammals begin to show in the fossil record.