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What was a major consequence of the last Ice Age on Earth's landscapes?
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The last Ice Age shaped modern landscapes through glacial activity, which sculpted mountains and created valleys.
What tectonic developments have shaped modern Earth's continents and oceans?
The movement of Earth's plates over millions of years, including the break-up of Pangaea, shaped the modern arrangement of continents and oceans.
What event 4.5 billion years ago contributed to the formation of the Moon?
A collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body named Theia.
What significance does Homo erectus hold in the context of human evolution?
Homo erectus marks a significant step in human evolution, showing early examples of tool use and social organization.
What evolutionary development allowed life to thrive on land about 460 million years ago?
The formation of the ozone layer protected life from harmful UV radiation, allowing organisms to thrive on land.
How did the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event affect the course of evolution?
The extinction event paved the way for mammals to dominate after the demise of the dinosaurs.
How did early primates like Ida contribute to our understanding of mammalian evolution?
Ida, as an early primate, provides insight into the evolutionary traits that would later be seen in more advanced mammals, including humans.
How did meteor bombardment contribute to early Earth's environment?
Meteor bombardment brought water and minerals to the Earth, facilitating the eventual cooling and formation of a crust.
What major evolutionary step is represented by Tiktaalik?
Tiktaalik represents a transitional species that showed early adaptations for movement onto land.
How did the emergence of photosynthesizing bacteria impact Earth's atmosphere?
Photosynthesizing bacteria, such as stromatolites, began producing oxygen, which eventually led to the transformation of Earth's atmosphere.
Describe the significance of the Cambrian Explosion.
The Cambrian Explosion was a period about 540 million years ago characterized by a rapid diversification of life and the evolution of multicellular organisms.
What impact did the Permian extinction have on Earth's biodiversity?
The Permian extinction, caused by massive volcanic eruptions, led to the greatest mass extinction event, significantly reducing Earth's biodiversity.
How did humans manage to migrate from Asia to the Americas?
Humans crossed from Asia to the Americas via a land bridge that connected the two continents during the last Ice Age.
What ongoing processes continue to evolve the Earth today?
Plate tectonics, climate change, and human activity continue to evolve Earth's environment and landscapes.
What role did hydrothermal vents play in the emergence of life on Earth?
Hydrothermal vents created conditions conducive to the emergence of primitive life forms by producing suitable environments for chemical reactions.
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