359.2 MA CARBONIFEROUS PERIOD (60
M)(359.2-299 MA) MISSISSIPPIAN SUBPERIOD (41.10 M) (359.2-318.1) TOURNAISIAN STAGE (Lower
Carb.) (13.9 M) (359.2-345.3 MA) 345.3 MA VISIAN
STAGE (Middle Carb.)(17
M)
(345.3-328.3 MA) 328.3 MA SERPUKHOVIAN
STAGE (Upper Carb.) (10.2 M) (328.3-318.1 MA) 320 MA Hybodonts - one of two branches of sharks (mostly saltwater) appears
318.1 MA
PENNSYLVANIAN SUBPERIOD (19.1 M)(318.1-299 MA) Great
Coal Age - reduction of carbon dioxide
and rise of atmospheric oxygen
Hercynian
- Appalachian mountain building Huge
forests of primitive plants Age
of Amphibians Reptiles
appear BASHKIRIAN
STAGE (Lower Penn. Ep.) (6.4 M) (318.1-311.7 MA) 311.7 MA MOSCOVIAN
STAGE (Mid Penn. Ep.) (4.5 M) (311.7-307.2 MA) 307.2 MA UPPER
PENNSYLVANIAN EPOCH (8.2 M) (307.2-299 MA) KASIMOVIAN
STAGE (3.8
M)
(307.2-303.4
MA) 303.4 MA GZHELIAN303.4
STAGE (4.4
M)
(303.4-299 MA) 300 MA Equatorial
Africa most likely covered by a continental ice sheet at this time Conifers
present in the fossil record