Life
The history of Earth, one fossil at a time
The fossil of a marine reptile.
The Busan Marine Natural History Museum in Dongnae-gu is currently hosting an exhibition that presents the history of Earth through fossils. The exhibition, titled "How Long Have You Lived, Earth?" will run until June 30.
Visitors can learn about the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history by examining over 170 fossil specimens owned by the museum. The collection includes fossils of marine species such as coelacanth (pronounced SEEL-uh-kanth), arowana, nothosaurus and mosasaurus.
The exhibition also includes a dark experience zone, where visitors can view fluorescent minerals that only glow under ultraviolet rays.
Finally, to promote the museum's goal of boosting people's interest and participation in protecting the environment, the exhibition displays an "Earth Clock." The graphic presents the whole of Earth's history as a 24-hour clock. The exhibition wants visitors to reflect that despite being on this planet for only "four seconds," humanity has done much to destroy, pollute and exploit Mother Nature.
<Busan Marine Natural History Museum>
◎ Address: 175, Ujangchun-ro, Dongnae-gu
◎ Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on January 1 and Mondays or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday.
◎ How to get there: Oncheonjang Station (metro line 1) exit 1. Walk about 15 minutes toward Geumgang Park
◎ Website: busan.go.kr/sea_eng/index