Tonian facts for kids
The Tonian was the first period in the Neoproterozoic Era. It lasted from about 1,000 million years ago (mya) to 720 mya. During this time, a giant continent called Rodinia started to break apart. Also, tiny living things called Acritarchs became very common and diverse.
| Precambrian (4.567 gya – 541 mya) | |
|---|---|
| In the left column are Eons, bold are Eras, not bold are Periods. gya = billion years ago, mya = million years ago | |
| Hadean (4.567 gya – 4 gya) | Chaotian Zirconian |
| Archaean (4 gya – 2.5 gya) | Eoarchaean (4 gya – 3.6 gya)
Palaeoarchaean (3.6 gya – 3.2 gya) |
| Proterozoic (2.5 gya – 541 mya) | Palaeoproterozoic (2.5 gya – 1.6 gya) Siderian (2.5 gya – 2.3 gya) Rhyacian (2.3 gya – 2.05 gya) Orosirian (2.05 gya – 1.8 gya) Statherian (1.8 gya – 1.6 gya)
Mesoproterozoic (1.6 gya – 1 gya) Calymmian (1.6 gya – 1.4 gya) Ectasian (1.4 gya – 1.2 gya) Stenian (1.2 gya – 1 gya) Neoproterozoic (1 gya - 541 mya) Tonian (1 gya – 720 mya) Cryogenian (720 mya – 635 mya) Ediacaran (635 mya – 541 mya) |
Contents
What Was the Tonian Period?
The Tonian Period was the first part of the Neoproterozoic Era. It was a very long time in Earth's history, lasting for 280 million years. This period is important because of big changes happening on our planet.
When Was the Tonian Period?
The Tonian Period began about 1,000 million years ago. It ended around 720 million years ago. To give you an idea, that's long before dinosaurs or even the first fish appeared!
What Happened to Continents?
During the Tonian Period, Earth had a huge supercontinent called Rodinia. Imagine all the land on Earth joined together! But during the Tonian, Rodinia started to split apart. This was a very slow process, taking millions of years. When continents move, it changes the oceans and the climate around the world.
What Life Existed?
Life during the Tonian Period was mostly very small. Tiny, single-celled organisms called Acritarchs became very common. They were a type of plankton that lived in the oceans. These tiny creatures were important because they were some of the most complex life forms around at that time. They show that life was slowly becoming more diverse on Earth.
See also
In Spanish: Período Tónico para niños
