éone

Éone is a term that refers to a specific period of time. In geological terms, it represents the longest division of time in Earth's history, spanning billions of years. The current geological éon is the Phanerozoic, which began approximately 541 million years ago and continues to the present day. This éon is characterized by the abundance of visible life. Before the Phanerozoic, there were three other major éons: the Hadean, the Archean, and the Proterozoic. These earlier éons cover the formation of Earth and the development of early life forms.

The concept of éons is a fundamental part of the geological timescale, used by scientists to organize and understand the vast history of our planet. Each éon is further subdivided into smaller units like eras, periods, and epochs, allowing for a more detailed study of specific events and changes throughout Earth's past. The boundaries between éons are typically defined by significant geological or biological events, such as mass extinctions or the appearance of major new groups of organisms. Understanding éons helps in comprehending the immense scale of geological time and the evolutionary journey of life on Earth.