What caused the mass extinction at the end of the Mesozoic Era?
A large meteorite crashed into the Gulf of Mexico 66 million years ago, causing a massive tsunami and a climate disruption that killed up to 80% of the world’s animal and plant species, the last of the dinosaurs being the most noticeable victims. This mass extinction event separates the Mesozoic from the Cenozoic Era.
What went extinct at the end of the Mesozoic Era?
The era began in the wake of the Permian–Triassic extinction event, the largest well-documented mass extinction in Earth’s history, and ended with the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, another mass extinction whose victims included the non-avian dinosaurs.
What mass extinction occurred in the Mesozoic Era?
The Mesozoic era began roughly around the time of the end-Permian extinction, which wiped out 96 percent of marine life and 70 percent of all terrestrial species on the planet. Life slowly rebounded, eventually giving way to a flourishing diversity of animals, from massive lizards to monstrous dinosaurs.
What was the dominant species during the Mesozoic Era?
On land, dinosaurs were the dominant animals, while the oceans were populated by large marine reptiles, and Pterosaurs ruled the air. For most of this period, the climate worldwide was warm and tropical, and shallow seas covered low-lying landmasses.
What is the oldest period in the Mesozoic Era?
248 to 65 Million Years Ago The Mesozoic is divided into three time periods: the Triassic (245-208 Million Years Ago), the Jurassic (208-146 Million Years Ago), and the Cretaceous (146-65 Million Years Ago).
What animals were around during the Mesozoic Era?
Other familiar animals that lived in the Mesozoic Era include mammals, fish (including sharks), turtles, snakes, amphibians, lizards and birds. Some of these arrived before the dinosaurs, others after, but all were at some point alive at the same time as dinosaurs.
What era is Mesozoic part of?
Its name is derived from the Greek term for “middle life.” The Mesozoic Era began 252.2 million years ago, following the conclusion of the Paleozoic Era, and ended 66 million years ago, at the dawn of the Cenozoic Era. (See the geologic time scale.)
How long is the Cenozoic Era?
about 65 million years
What are some interesting facts about the Mesozoic Era?
Fun Facts About The Mesozoic Era
- The Mesozoic era began 248 million years ago and ended 65 million years ago.
- The Mesozoic era began approximately around the time of the End-Permian extinction event, which wiped out 96 percent of all Earth’s marine life and 70 percent of all terrestrial species on the planet.