The Hitchhikers Guide to Evolution

We are transporting  back over 500 million years ago, where we will explore a time when Earth's oceans filled with bizarre and enigmatic creatures, marking the dawn of complex life. From the iconic Burgess Shale fossils to the Cambrian Explosion itself, join me as we uncover the secrets of this pivotal period in Earth's history, where evolution unfolded with an explosion of diversity.References- Amos, J. L. (n.d.). Cambrian Period. National Geographic. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/cambrian- Bagley, M. (2016, May 27). Cambrian Period & Cambrian Explosion: Facts & Information. Live Science. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.livescience.com/28098-cambrian-period.html- Hughes, N. C. (2023, January 6). ,Cambrian Explosion: Life explosion in Cambrian period is an explosion of extant fossils. Science Direct. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/cambrian-period- Kazlev, A. (2002). Palaeos Paleozoic: Cambrian: The Cambrian Period - 1. Palaeos. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from http://palaeos.com/paleozoic/cambrian/cambrian.html- Robison, R. A. , Crick, . Rex E. and Johnson, . Markes E. (2024, March 1). Cambrian Period. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Cambrian-PeriodMusicUnfolding Plot by Blue Dot SessionsContributorsWritten/Edited/Produced: Kassidy RobertsonThesis Directors: Professor Jeremy Bramblett, and Professor Will DavisThesis Committee: Dr. Hope Klug, and Professor Timothy Gaudin

Join us on a journey through the Proterozoic Eon, a pivotal period in Earth's history. Over a billion years of geological and biological evolution shaped our planet, laying the foundations for complex life. From supercontinent formation to the origins of eukaryotic cells, we delve into the intriguing mysteries of this ancient era. Discover how the Proterozoic Eon paved the way for life as we know it today.References- Explains, D. (2022, March 18). History of the Earth Part 1: Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic Eons. YouTube. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWC2lZHaq5c- Geology Page. (2013, October 28). Proterozoic Eon. Geology Page. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.geologypage.com/2013/10/proterozoic-eon.htmlPBS. (2001). Evolution: Change: Deep Time. Evolution: Change: Deep Time. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/change/deeptime/protero.html- Proterozoic Eon in Geological Time Scale. (2023, August 5). Anthroholic. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://anthroholic.com/proterozoic-eon- Waggoner, B. (1996, 02 20). The Proterozoic Eon. University of California Museum of Paleontology. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/proterozoic.php- Windley, B. Frederick (2023, January 27). Proterozoic Eon. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Proterozoic-EonMusicJoDon by Blue Dot SessionsContributorsWritten/Edited/Produced: Kassidy RobertsonThesis Directors: Professor Jeremy Bramblett, and Professor Will DavisThesis Committee: Dr. Hope Klug, and Professor Timothy Gaudin

In this episode we take a journey through the Hadean and Archean Eons the first two eons of Earth existence ranging from (4.54 Ga- 541 Ma). Starting with the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, we unfold to explore the tumultuous Hadean Eon, marked by Earth's formation. The subsequent Archean Eon witnesses the emergence of life. Through geological evidence and fossil records, listeners gain insights into Earth's early history, paving the way to learn about evolutionary processes. References- Archean Eon in Geological Time Scale. (2023, August 5). Anthroholic. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://anthroholic.com/archean-eon- Explains, D. (2022, March 18). History of the Earth Part 1: Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic Eons. YouTube. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWC2lZHaq5c- Filippelli, G. (2023, January 6). ,. Science Direct. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/archean-eon- Greshko, M. (n.d.). The origins of the universe facts and information. National Geographic. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/origins-of-the-universe- Howell, E. (2023, July 26). What is the Big Bang Theory? Space.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.space.com/25126-big-bang-theory.html- Johnson, C., Affolter, M. D., Inkenbrandt, P., & Mosher, C. (2023, November 6). 8.3: Hadean Eon. Geosciences LibreTexts. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geology/Book%3A_An_Introduction_to_Geology_(Johnson_Affolter_Inkenbrandt_and_Mosher)/08%3A_Earth_History/8.03%3A_Hadean_Eon- Rafferty, J. P., & Windley, B. F. (2024, March 14). Hadean Eon | Start, Timeline, & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/science/Hadean-EonMusicLong as Night by Blue Dot SessionsHundred Mile by Blue Dot SessionsContributorsWritten/Edited/Produced: Kassidy RobertsonThesis Directors: Professor Jeremy Bramblett, and Professor Will Davis Thesis Committee: Dr. Hope Klug, and Dr. Timothy Gaudin