EARLY ORDOVICIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Early Ordovician refers to a specific time period in Earth's history, which is part of the larger Ordovician period. It extends from approximately 485 to 470 million years ago, following the Cambrian period and preceding the Middle Ordovician. The Early Ordovician represents an important epoch of geological time, covering a span of around 15 million years.
Geologically, the Early Ordovician is characterized by several significant events and developments. It marks the continuation of the Cambrian-Ordovician extinction event, during which numerous marine species went extinct. At the same time, it witnessed the emergence and diversification of various new marine life forms following the mass extinction.
During the Early Ordovician, vast shallow seas covered many parts of the Earth's surface, particularly in what is now North America, Europe, and Asia. These warm, tropical oceans were home to a diverse array of marine organisms, including trilobites, brachiopods, cephalopods, graptolites, and early fishes.
In terms of the Earth's climate, the Early Ordovician experienced a transition from an icehouse to a greenhouse state, with generally warmer temperatures prevalent. This climatic shift had profound effects on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, influencing the distribution and evolution of various species.
As a distinct period in geological history, the Early Ordovician holds great significance for understanding the evolution and development of life on Earth. It provides a snapshot of a time marked by extinction, recovery, and the subsequent radiation of new species, contributing to our knowledge of the ancient environments and the rich biodiversity during this era.
Etymology of EARLY ORDOVICIAN
The word "early Ordovician" is a combination of two elements: "early" and "Ordovician".
1. Early: The word "early" originates from the Old English word "earlic", which means "of or belonging to the dawn or morning". It comes from the Proto-Germanic word "erlijaz" and is related to the Old High German word "erlinc", meaning "early". The term "early" implies the beginning or initial stage of something.
2. Ordovician: The term "Ordovician" refers to a period in the geologic timescale, which is named after the Ordovices, an ancient Celtic tribe in Wales. This period lasted from approximately 485.4 to 443.8 million years ago, during the Paleozoic Era.
