Neogene

The Neogene is a geologic period that spans from about 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. It is the second period of the Cenozoic Era, following the Paleogene period. The Neogene is further divided into the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene epochs.

Miocene Epoch

The Miocene epoch, which lasted from about 23 million to 5.3 million years ago, was a time of diversification and expansion of many groups of organisms. It was during this epoch that the first apes and hominids appeared. The Miocene also saw the rise of many modern mammal groups and the spread of grasslands.

Pliocene Epoch

The Pliocene epoch, from about 5.3 million to 2.6 million years ago, was characterized by continued diversification of mammals and the spread of early hominids, including the genus Homo. The climate cooled during this epoch, and ice caps began to form in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Pleistocene Epoch

The Pleistocene epoch, which lasted from about 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago, is known for its series of ice ages and the evolution of early humans. Many large mammals, such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats, roamed the Earth during this time. Human ancestors adapted to the changing climate and landscapes, developing tools and social structures to survive.

Study Guide for Neogene

What are the three epochs of the Neogene period?
Describe the key characteristics of the Miocene epoch.
How did the climate change during the Pliocene epoch?
What significant events occurred during the Pleistocene epoch?
How did early humans adapt to the challenges of the Pleistocene epoch?

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Our impact on earth

Vocabulary/Answer key

Our impact on earth

The resources above cover the following skills:

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Earth’s Systems

Analyze and interpret data (e.g., tables, graphs, maps of global and regional temperatures; atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane; rates of human activities) to describe how various human activities (e.g., use of fossil fuels, creation of urban heat islands, agricultural practices) and natural processes (e.g., solar radiation, greenhouse effect, volcanic activity) may cause changes in local and global temperatures over time.

Earth and Human Activity

Analyze evidence (e.g., databases on human populations, rates of consumption of food and other natural resources) to explain how changes in human population, per capita consumption of natural resources, and other human activities (e.g., land use, resource development, water and air pollution, urbanization) affect Earth’s systems.

Implement scientific principles to design processes for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment (e.g., water usage, including withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or construction of dams and levees; land usage, including urban development, agriculture, or removal of wetlands; pollution of air, water, and land).