Changes

The Mega year ago, often abbreviated as Ma of Mya <ref>http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/socal/geology/geologic_history/images/geologic_time_scale.jpg</ref>, is a useful shorthand notation for long times that is more concise than scientific notation. The time for geological events such as the formation of a mountain is typically on the order of a few Ma.

The Mega year ago, often abbreviated as Ma of Mya <ref>http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/socal/geology/geologic_history/images/geologic_time_scale.jpg</ref>, is a useful shorthand notation for long times that is more concise than [[scientific notation]]. The time for [[geology|geological]] events such as the formation of a [[mountain]] is typically on the order of a few Ma.

==Use==

==Use==

Instead of "trilobites went extinct 251 million years ago" <ref>http://www.trilobites.info/lasttrilos.htm</ref>, one would write "trilobites went extinct 251 Ma". The use of "Ma" avoids word repeats when writing papers.

Instead of "[[trilobite]]s went [[extinction|extinct]] 251 million years ago" <ref>http://www.trilobites.info/lasttrilos.htm</ref>, one would write "trilobites went extinct 251 Ma". The use of "Ma" avoids word repeats when writing papers.

==References==

==References==