Neoproterozoic Era

Mesoproterozoic Era - Neoproterozoic Era - Paleozoic Era

The Neoproterozoic Era is the third, and final, era of the Proterozoic Eon. The Neoproterozoic begins with the first appearance of δ13C anomalies (δ13C is an isotopic signature measuring the ratio of Carbon-12 to Carbon-13 isotopes) and ends with the earliest appearance of trilobites and the End-Ediacaran extinction event. The most severe glaciation in history occurred during this era, as ice sheets reached as far as the equator, a scenario referred to as a "Snowball Earth" - as both the Sturtian and Marinoan occurred within the era. The Mesoproterozoic supercontinent of Rodinia broke up at around 750 MYA, dissolving into several smaller continents. A new supercontinent, known as Pannotia emerged at around 600 MYA, only to break up at around 550 MYA.

Life took major steps forward in diversification during the Neoproterozoic, as the first known animals evolved. However, much of the primitive animal life of the era would face extinction in the End-Ediacaran Extinction that led to the beginning of the Phanerozoic Eon.

The Neoproterozoic has been subject to major revision in recent proposals that are in use here. Two of its three official periods have already been formalized, while the other was absorbed into the new Rodinian period of the Mesoproterozoic, thus shortening the duration of the Neoproterozoic. The three official periods are the Tonian, the Cryogenian, and the Ediacaran.

The Neoproterozoic is subdivided into two periods: the Cryogenian and the Ediacaran.

Neoproterozoic Timescale:

Neoproterozoic Era - 720-541 MYA

-Cryogenian Period - 720-635 MYA

-Ediacaran Period - 635-541 MYA

--Early Ediacaran Epoch - 635-584 MYA

--Late Ediacaran Epoch - 584-541 MYA