Mesozoic Era

By Cade Cunningham

References from UCF Library Tools Online: Herrera, Fernando. “Mesozoic Era.” Encyclopedia of Global Warming & Climate Change 2012: 918–919. Web. Kielan-Jaworowska, Zofia, Richard Cifelli, and Zhe-Xi Luo. Mammals from the Age of Dinosaurs : Origins, Evolution, and Structure. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004. Web. “Mesozoic Era.” A Concise Dictionary of Paleontology 2019: n. pag.

Supercontinent Breakup: At the beginning of the Mesozoic, all landmasses were part of a supercontinent called Pangaea. Over the era, Pangaea slowly broke apart, forming the Atlantic Ocean and giving rise to the continents we recognize today. Dinosaurs Were Diverse: Not all dinosaurs were the massive, fearsome creatures we often imagine. Some were as small as chickens, and many species were herbivores, peacefully grazing on plants. The "Age of Reptiles": The Mesozoic is often referred to as the "Age of Reptiles" because reptiles, including dinosaurs, were the dominant life forms on land, in the sea, and in the air. Mammals Were Tiny: While dinosaurs dominated the land, early mammals were generally small, mouse-like creatures that often stayed out of sight to avoid being eaten by larger predators. Volcanic Activity: There was significant volcanic activity during the Mesozoic, particularly in the Triassic and Cretaceous periods. These volcanic eruptions contributed to changing climates and ecosystems over time.

The climate during the early Mesozoic was hot and dry, but as the era progressed, it became more humid and temperate. The atmosphere had high levels of carbon dioxide, which contributed to the warm climate. Dinosaurs dominated much of the land. The first mammals and birds appeared during the Mesozoic, evolving from reptilian ancestors. Marine reptiles like Ichthyosaurs and Plesiosaurs ruled the oceans, while Pterosaurs soared through the skies. Early in the Mesozoic, gymnosperms were dominant, but by the end of the era, flowering plants had started to appear, changing the landscape.

What was the world like?

Interesting Facts about the Mesozoic Era

The major event marking the end of the Mesozoic was the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, around 66 million years ago. This was a catastrophic mass extinction that wiped out roughly 75% of all species, including all non-avian dinosaurs. It’s widely believed that a large asteroid impact in what is now the Yucatán Peninsula caused this event.

What was the Major Event?

The Mesozoic Era was a significant geological time period that lasted from about 252 million to 66 million years ago. It was an era in the Phanerozoic eon, and it's divided into three major periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.

What was the Mesozoic Era?

The Mesozoic Era