Take a journey back in time to the beginning of the Earth, 4.6 Billion Years ago. We will explore the changes to the earth over time and the evolution of life. How did the 5 Mass extinction events shape the variety of Life on Earth we have today?
Ammonite Fossil
Join Australian Environmental Education to explore Australian fossil sites and what they tell us about the past.
Australia has a long fossil history with some dating back over 3 billion years ago. There are many ancient animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Explore key fossil site across Australia to discover more about these amazing animals.
Life on Earth program content:
In this program students will:
- Have a presentation on fossils and how they are made
- Look at the geological time scale
- Explore fossil sites across Australia
- Look at mass extinction
Fossils sites in Australia covered in the program
| Shark Bay | WA | Stromatolites | 3 billion years ago |
| Ediacaran | SA | Early life | 570 million years ago |
| Canowindra | NSW | Armour plated fish | 360 million years ago |
| Strzeleki Ranges | Victoria | Australian Dinosaurs | 115 million years ago |
| Winton | Qld | Australian Dinosaurs | 110 million years ago |
| Lightening Ridge | NSW | Early Mammals | 110 million years ago |
| Dinosaur Cove | Victoria | Australian Dinosaurs | 106 million years ago |
| Riversleigh | Qld | Megafauna | 18 million years ago |
| Naracoorte Caves | SA | Megafauna | 300,000 years ago |
A mass extinction is classified as a sharp rise in the rate of extinction. Mass extinction event are caused by catastrophic events resulting in rapid environmental change. Five mass extinctions have been identified through the fossil record.
