period

30 ENTRIES FOUND:

period

In geology, the basic unit of the geologic time scale. During these spans of time, specific systems of rocks were formed. Originally, the method for defining the sequence of periods was relative; it was based on stratigraphy and paleontology. Carbon-14 dating and similar methods are now used to determine absolute ages for various periods.

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on period, visit Britannica.com.

Seen & Heard

What made you look up period? Please tell us what you were reading, watching or discussing that led you here.

Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Name That Thing

Take our visual vocab quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

True or False?

A quick quiz about stuff worth knowing

Take It Now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day and More

Facebook | Twitter

Get Our Free Apps

Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More

iPhone | iPad | Android | More