Fossils, Rocks and Time

People who study Earth’s history use a type of calendar called the geologic time scale. It looks very different from the familiar calendar. In some ways it is more like a book and the rocks are its pages. Some of the pages are torn or missing and the pages are not numbered but geology gives us the tools to help us read this book. In FOSSILS, ROCKS AND TIME the viewer will discover the Relative Time Scale and will discover the various forms of life in the rock layers.

The viewer will also learn three concepts which are important in the study and use of fossils:

• Fossils represent the remains of once-living organisms.

• Most fossils are the remains of extinct organisms.

• The kinds of fossils found in rocks of different ages differ because life on Earth has changed over time.

The program then explores the Numeric Time Scale.

Download the companion Geologic Time Scale (PDF)

30 mins. | IV143D $32.95 DVD

30 mins. | IV143V $29.95 VHS

Fossils

This introduction to Paleontology defines the many types of fossils and how they were preserved and formed. It also investigates where and how to collect fossils; equipment needed for finding fossils and an overview of the major fossil types.

20 mins. | IV139D $32.95 DVD

20 mins. | IV139V $29.95 VHS

Common Fossils of the United States

An introduction to the wide variety of fossils found in the U.S. This program explores the age, geologic range and environment for foraminifera, corals, crinoids, bryozoans, sponges, brachipods, trilobites and vertebrates. Includes footage of the famous dinosaur quarry at Dinosaur National Monument.

20 mins. | IV18D $32.95 DVD

20 mins. | IV18V $29.95 VHS

Fossils on America’s Public Lands

Discover how to study fossils on America’s public lands. In this program, students learn how fossils are formed, where they may be found and how to identify specimens found across the United States. Practical guidelines for collecting fossils on federal public lands and the tools useful to study and preserve these remnants of the past. An overview the permitting process for the collection of vertebrates is included and ways students may participate.

14 mins. | IV230D $32.95 DVD

14 mins. | IV230V $29.95 VHS

Discover Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Inspire classroom students to learn about the formation of fossils and the conservation of wild spaces. Discover tree stumps of stone and an untold number of insect and plant fossils lie just beneath the surface of Florissant, Colorado. The Florissant Fossil Beds, one of the richest fossil beds in the world, tells the story of a very difference Colorado. Thirty-four million years ago, massive volcanoes forever transformed the ancient landscape and living communities. Learn how this ancient valley was preserved in stone and how the people who lived in, explored and studied this unique area; fought to protect the valley for generation to come.

16 mins. | IV212D $32.95 DVD

16 mins. | IV212V $29.95 VHS

Geologic Time

Geologic Time refers to the extremely long periods of time – in the millions or even billions of years. Why do scientists use this time scale? Why is the scale divided into Eras, Epochs and Periods? What methods do geologists use to measure these very long periods of time? Explore these basic concepts and watch how geologists use the potassium-argon method to date rocks and minerals. Visit the dating lab at Ohio State University and learn how scientists have been able to tell how old a rock sample might be. While many films and videos talk about this concept, this video shows students how it is done.

25 mins. | IV110D $32.95 DVD

25 mins. | IV110V $29.95 VHS

Life During the Paleozoic Era

This video explorers that very long period of time from the Cambrian (over 600 million years ago). You will see the fossil record and artists drawings and dioramas of life in the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian, Pennsylvanian and Permian Periods. You will see plant life, marine life and land life including diatoms, algae, mosses, ferns, cycads, brachiopods, trilobites, crinoids, insects, reptiles, ammonites, sharks and fish. The DVD also discusses mass extinction theories and shows how the continents have moved.

20 mins. | IV144D $32.95 DVD

20 mins. | IV144V $29.95 VHS

Life During the Mesozoic Era

This program explores the life that developed from about 225 million years ago up through Cenozoic time. While dinosaurs played a key role during the Mesozoic, there were many other forms of life. There were insects and turtles, the bony fishes, flies, mosquitoes, lizards, birds, pterosaurs and snakes. This DVD also looks at some of the mass extinction theories as to why life forms suddenly changed or died off.

20 mins. | IV145D $32.95 DVD

20 mins. | IV145V $29.95 VHS

Life in Cenozoic Times

This video looks at the progression of life forms during the Cenozoic era. The Cenozoic is the age of mammals. The program shows the development of mammal life forms in the Tertiary and the Quaternary periods. See how life forms adapted to conditions during the Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene and Quaternary.

17 mins. | IVLCT98D $32.95 DVD

17 mins. | IVLCT98V $29.95 VHS

Trilobites: Early Inhabitants of the Earth

Many strange creatures have inhabited the land in the United States in the past and have left their fossil remains entombed in the rocks that underlie us, especially in the prairie lands. This video explores the Trilobite, an extinct marine (sea) arthropod that is distantly related to living crabs, lobsters and crayfish. See where and how they once lived; investigate their anatomy and see why and how they were buried and turned into fossils. Because of their unusual and interesting appearance trilobites are among the fossils most sought after for collection and study.

11 mins. | IVTRI94D $32.95 DVD

11 mins. | IVTRI94V $29.95 VHS

Dinosaurs

An investigation of the origin, evolution and fossil evidence of Dinosaurs. Consider new and old extinction theories and visit Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado; and the Dinosaur Museum in Vernal, Utah.

22 mins. | IV138D $32.95 DVD

22 mins. | IV138V $29.95 VHS