Devonian Period

The Devonian Period lasted from 419 to 359 million years ago, and is best known as the time period in which vertebrates rose to dominance on land. During this time, a variety of plants evolved as well, and some of the first trees began to take shape. These plants helped to create oxygen-rich layers in the atmosphere, which allowed animals to move around more freely. This period is also recognized as a time of great biodiversity, when the number of species living on land and in the seas increased dramatically. TheDevonian Period is significant to geology, as it marks the transition between the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras, and is thus a major division of geological time. In addition, many of the fossils found in rocks formed during this period are used to identify geological stages and provide clues to the evolution of life throughout Earth history. The Devonian Period has also been instrumental in developing and refining techniques for petroleum exploration.