Mesozoic

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Mesozoic

Mesozoic (pronunciation: /ˌmɛzəˈzoʊɪk, ˌmiː-, -soʊ-/), from the Greek words "mesos" (middle) and "zoe" (life), is an era of geological time that lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago. It is often referred to as the Age of Reptiles because it is the time period in which reptiles, particularly dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates.

Etymology

The term "Mesozoic" was proposed in 1840 by the British geologist John Phillips. It is derived from the Greek words "mesos" (middle) and "zoe" (life), signifying the time period between the ancient (Paleozoic) and modern (Cenozoic) eras.

Divisions

The Mesozoic era is divided into three geological periods: the Triassic, the Jurassic, and the Cretaceous. Each of these periods is further divided into several epochs and ages.

Flora and Fauna

The Mesozoic era saw the first appearance of many types of plants and animals that are still present today. This includes the first flowering plants (Angiosperms), as well as the first birds and mammals. The era is most famous for the rise and fall of the dinosaurs.

End of the Mesozoic

The Mesozoic era ended with the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, a mass extinction event that led to the extinction of approximately 75% of all species on Earth, including most dinosaurs.

See Also

External links

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