Prehistoric Earth
4.54 billion years ago, the earth had formed, and the prehistoric maps of earth were entirely different from how we see it today.
It was a very uninhabitable place with hellish temperatures hot enough to boil water. The atmosphere was lacking oxygen, and the land was a barren wasteland without any life. Oceans were practically non-existent as all of the water was trapped in the form of gases.
About 3.8 billion years, the earth cooled down enough for these gases to start precipitating as rain. It rained for millions of years, eventually filling the vast basins and gorges, originating the very first water bodies.
Even though it rained, the oceans remained empty for a while – with the very first signs of life emerging almost after 540 million years later. The very first organism on earth may have been unicellular, something similar to a bacteria, and sharing the similarity with its cell structure as well. These prehistoric animals still on earth have evolved a lot over the years.
From this group of bacteria-like unicellular organisms, life would go on to diversify and speciate into a multitude of different species. However, with time some of these organisms would go extinct, and the niches they left were eventually replaced with other organisms. This cycle manifested itself over millions of years, originating an increasingly complex plethora of creatures.
One of the most eminent groups of organisms that rule the prehistoric earth maps were the reptiles; the dinosaurs. Their shape and size varied greatly, with the tiniest one being no bigger than a chicken and the biggest one weighing over 77 tons. For millions of years, Dinosaurs roamed the earth until an asteroid hit the earth, besides that the change in climate also brought about their extinction. However, technically speaking not all dinosaurs went extinct – the birds that we see today are the scions of dinosaurs. They furcated off from theropods, a family of dinosaurs, which were characteristically bipedal. This prehistoric life on earth is evident as all modern birds are bipedal.
The next evolutionary milestone is the rise of the Great apes, which ultimately furcated off into modern humans. However, evolution has not stopped here, even in today's world humans are rapidly evolving and adapting to change. Though the changes are not quite perceptible, scientists theorize that an entirely new species of humans could arise over the next few millennia.
FAQs on A Brief on Prehistoric Earth
1. When Did Earth Come Into Existence?
Ans - 4.54 billion years ago, the earth had just formed, and it was entirely different from how we see it today.
2. Which Organism Dominated the Earth For Years?
Ans - One of the most eminent groups of organisms that ruled the prehistoric landscape for millions of years were the dinosaurs. They came in all sizes and shapes, with the smallest one being comparable with that of a chicken and the largest one weighing over 77 tons. Dinosaurs wandered the earth for millions of years until the asteroid impact and the change in climate brought about their extinction. But not all dinosaurs went extinct as the birds that we see today are technically the scions of dinosaurs. They furcated off from theropods, a family of dinosaurs, which were characteristically bipedal. This is evident as all modern birds today are bipedal.
3. What is the Next Evolutionary Milestone?
Ans - The next evolutionary milestone is the rise of the Great apes, which ultimately furcated off into modern humans. Evolution was not stopped here, as even to this day, humans are continually evolving and adapting. Though the changes are not quite perceptible, scientists theorize that an entirely new species of humans could arise over the next few millennia.
4. Which Animal Had Dominance on Earth Before its Extinction?
Ans - Dinosaurs wandered the earth for millions of years until an asteroid impact, besides the impact global climate change also brought about their extinction. But, not all dinosaurs went extinct as the birds that we see today are technically the scions of dinosaurs. They furcated off from theropods a family of dinosaurs, which were characteristically bipedal. As we can see today, this is evident because all modern birds are bipedal.
5. What Changes Can Be Expected in Prehistoric Earth?
Ans - By about 3.8 billion years, the earth had rapidly cooled down enough for the gases to start precipitating as rain. It rained for millions of years, eventually filling the vast basins and gorges, leading to the origination of the very first water bodies.
However, the oceans would remain empty for millions of years – with the very first signs of life emerging almost after 540 million years later. The very first organism may have been unicellular, something similar to bacteria, and its cell structure probably would have been similar too.
From this group of unicellular organisms, life would go on to multiply and diversify into a multitude of other creatures. However, some of these entities would go extinct, and the niches they left were eventually replaced with other entities. This cycle manifested itself over millions of years, originating an increasingly complex plethora of creatures.
