“Australia’s First 4 Billion Years: Life Explodes” is a documentary that takes us on a journey through the ancient history of life on Earth. The film focuses on the early Paleozoic era when Australia was a coastal region of the super-continent Gondwana, making it the scene of life’s invasion of the land. The documentary explores the evolution of life from its earliest beginnings in the oceans to the rise of the first land-dwelling creatures.
The film is narrated by the famous Australian scientist and television presenter Richard Smith, who guides us through this journey of discovery. The documentary is filled with stunning footage of the Australian landscape, from its rugged coastlines to its vast deserts and ancient rock formations. The stunning visuals provide a perfect backdrop for the fascinating story of life on Earth.
As the film begins, we learn about the early oceans and the evolution of early marine life. We see the first signs of complex life forms, such as the trilobites, which are now extinct but once dominated the oceans. The film also explores the evolution of fish, which became the dominant form of life in the oceans during the early Paleozoic era. Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular fossils of early fish and other sea creatures, and the documentary showcases some of these remarkable specimens.
As the film progresses, we learn about the transition of life from the oceans to the land. The first creatures to make this transition were the arthropods, such as the millipedes and scorpions. The film explores the evolution of these early land-dwelling creatures and their impact on the environment.
The documentary also touches on the extinction events that shaped the evolution of life. One of the most significant of these events was the end-Ordovician extinction, which occurred around 440 million years ago. This event wiped out around 85% of all marine species, including the trilobites. The documentary explores the causes of this extinction and its impact on the evolution of life on Earth.
Overall, “Australia’s First 4 Billion Years: Life Explodes” is a fascinating journey through the ancient history of life on Earth. The film is informative, visually stunning, and narrated by one of Australia’s most respected scientists. Whether you are a science enthusiast or simply curious about the history of life on Earth, this documentary is a must-see.
