Ordovician

Major Geological Events

Warm, shallow seas cover much of Earth
Ice cap covers what is now North Africa
Part of the Paleozoic era, a rich variety of marine life flourished in the vast seas and the first primitive plants began to appear on land
Most of the world's landmasses came together to create the supercontinent of Gondwana, which included the continents of Africa, South America, Antarctica, and Australia

Climate

For the most part the Earth's climate was warm and wet, with sea levels rising as much as 1,970 feet (600 meters) above those of today.
For the most part the Earth's climate was warm and wet, with sea levels rising as much as 1,970 feet (600 meters) above those of today.
This was a sign that a 20-million-year ice age during which shallow, life-rich seas shrank away, was coming.


Trilobites Life was still primarily found underwater, but there were more different species than ever before. The trilobites did not die out with the mass extinction at the end of the Cambrian period. Trilobites lived on and many new species developed.	Cephalopods The Cephalopods animal forms developed, too. The cephalopods became the dominant predators of this period. Cephalopods are a group of mollusks that are related to octopus and squid.	Brachiopods Brachiopods were also new in the Ordovician period. Brachiopods look like clams, but they do not belong to the same family. A Brachiopod’s shells do not match. If you look closely, one shell is slightly larger at the hinge. The shells themselves each have bilateral symmetry. Clam shells have identical hinges so their shells are not symmetrical.

Trilobites

Life was still primarily found underwater, but there were more different species than ever before. The trilobites did not die out with the mass extinction at the end of the Cambrian period. Trilobites lived on and many new species developed.

Cephalopods

The Cephalopods animal forms developed, too. The cephalopods became the dominant predators of this period. Cephalopods are a group of mollusks that are related to octopus and squid.

Brachiopods

Brachiopods were also new in the Ordovician period. Brachiopods look like clams, but they do not belong to the same family. A Brachiopod’s shells do not match. If you look closely, one shell is slightly larger at the hinge. The shells themselves each have bilateral symmetry. Clam shells have identical hinges so their shells are not symmetrical.

Environment

Nearly all life was located in oceans. The only land life was in the form of very primitive plants near the water line of the coasts, probably mosses and algae and were of a non-vascular nature. Insects did not yet exist, nor did amphibians or reptiles. Fish did not exist, although a form of primitive fish began to appear by the end of the Ordovician Period.

science.nationalgeographic.com/science/prehistoric-world/ordovician/

Traveler Sights

If you could travel to the ordovician time period, the main thing to see would be the different environment, like oceans covering most of the world. There would also be many different life forms to see. Organisms changed throughout the different time too.

What to Bring

If you would go to the Ordovician time period, you would need to bring things to keep you safe in the water, like snorkeling gear and summer clothing because the temperature is wet and hot. You would also want to bring food because not much food would be found in the area.

Dangers

The one main danger that you might face during the Ordovician period is the water that covers Earth. Since the Earth is covered in mostly water, it is hard to get around. There are not many animals that would be dangerous during this time though.

Zoe Bentler

Ordovician

Travel Back in Time!

Ordovician

Travel Back in Time!

Major Geological Events

Climate

Trilobites

Cephalopods

Brachiopods

Trilobites

Cephalopods

Brachiopods

Environment

Traveler Sights

What to Bring

Dangers

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