2007-07-30 00:34:38 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
In general terms, an eon (sometimes spelled aeon) is an unspecified lengthy period of time. Geologists refer to it as the largest subdivision of time on the geologic time scale.
We are currently in the Phanerozoic Eon which so far covers about about 550 million years.
Although a proposal was made in 1957 to define an eon to be a unit of time equal to one billion years (1 Ga), the idea was not approved as a unit of scientific measure and is seldom used for a specific period of time. Its more common usage is for any lengthy or indefinite period of time.
The origin is from the Greek root "aion" for "age" or "life force." A similar Latin word "aevum" for age is still present in words such as Longevity and medieval. [1]
2007-07-30 02:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by crrllpm 7 · 10⤊ 1⤋
Eon Definition
2016-12-08 21:14:53 · answer #2 · answered by donenfeld 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no real answer as the units do not measure the same thing. Eons are a measure of time and light years are a measure of distance. An eon is a billion (thousand thousand) years, although it can be used loosely to refer to any large time. A geological eon is approximately 500 million years or longer and denote major geological changes on Earth. There have been 4 eons so far: Hadean (or Priscoan), Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic. A light year is the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 x 10^12 km.
2016-03-13 16:34:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How Long Is An Eon
2016-09-30 22:48:46 · answer #4 · answered by regula 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientists believe that an eon is about 1 billion years, I am still not sure yet. An eon does not have a specific time period though. All I can guess is an eon is an extremely long time...
2015-01-21 10:02:18 · answer #5 · answered by Sonya 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Just how long is an eon?
2015-08-16 22:28:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no standardization of an eon. It is more of a concept, like epoch, era or age. Technically, it a clearly yet perhaps imprecisely delineated period of geological or anthropological time. They are necessarily variable in length. They are also so long that they lend themselves conceptually well as a metaphor of exaggeration.
2007-07-30 01:53:16 · answer #7 · answered by jcsuperstar714 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
About as long as Keith Richards has been alive.
2015-12-01 17:16:39 · answer #8 · answered by Ronda T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The length of a Grateful Dead song.
2015-12-01 03:02:36 · answer #9 · answered by Chris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the answer?
2016-07-11 02:05:35 · answer #10 · answered by Kathy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋