The Cretaceous period

The Cretaceous period

The Cretaceous period, which lasted from about 145 to 66 million years ago, was the last period of the Mesozoic era. It was characterized by the proliferation of flowering plants, the evolution of new groups of dinosaurs, and the development of marine ecosystems.

One of the most well-known events of the Cretaceous period was the mass extinction that occurred at the end of the period, which wiped out approximately 75% of all species on Earth, including the dinosaurs. The cause of this mass extinction is still unknown, but it is thought to have been caused by a combination of factors, including volcanic activity, meteor impacts, and changes in sea levels and climate.

During the Cretaceous period, there were several major geological events that shaped the Earth's landscape. One of these was the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, which led to the formation of the modern continents. The Cretaceous period also saw the formation of many mountain ranges, including the Rocky Mountains and the Andes.

In terms of flora and fauna, the Cretaceous period was marked by the evolution of new groups of dinosaurs, such as the ceratopsians and hadrosaurs. It was also during this period that the first flowering plants evolved, which had a significant impact on the diversity and abundance of life on Earth.

The Cretaceous period was also an important time for the evolution of marine ecosystems, with the development of coral reefs and the proliferation of various types of fish and invertebrates. Overall, the Cretaceous period was a time of great diversity and change on Earth, laying the foundation for the evolution of many modern species.