Our Changing Earth

To humans, planet Earth hardly seems to change. Photographs from space show us familiar shapes of continents, the blue of oceans and swirling white clouds. Yet the Earth always changes.

Over 4.5 billion years, plate tectonics have shifted continents, uplifted mountains and created new oceans. The surface we live on has experienced dramatic changes in atmospheric composition. Climate has swung from greenhouse to icehouse conditions. Life has evolved and responded to new conditions on the planet's thin skin.

Rocks in New Brunswick record about a fifth of geologic time, beginning about one billion years ago. The geologic story of the province includes some of our planet's most dramatic events. Explore earth's history to discover New Brunswick's place on the face of Our Changing Earth.

© 2024 New Brunswick Museum / Musée du Nouveau-Brunswick