Cretaceous Period
Age of the Dinosaurs
The name "Cretaceous" comes from the Latin word "creta," meaning "chalk." This period is when massive chalk deposits formed
Lasted ~79 million years
This period lasted roughly 79 million years, making it one of the longest periods in the Phanerozoic Eon. This period was also the final stage of the Mesozoic Era.
Massive Extrinction
The Earth seemed to be flourishing, but this was inevitably ended by the asteroid that ended the age of the dinosaurs.
What Was the World Like?
The world was much warmer than today, with no polar ice caps and high sea levels that flooded continents. Additionally, the atmoshphere had higher CO2 levels, supporting lush forests and extrmely large herbavors.
After the mass extinction, the Earth experienced a major ice age. During this ice age, mammals became the dominating species and eventually evolved into all mammals we know today.
Biodiversity Exploded
Volcanic activity during this time skyrocketed due to the spreading ocean floor. Because of this, extra CO2 was pumped into the atmosphere, causing higher temperatures.
For example, flowering plants more than doubled in biodiversity, creating the early ancestors of the pollinators we know today.
Along with sauropods, many other fantasy-like organisms roamed the Earth at this time. Super predators like the T-Rex and mosasaurs ruled over their respective territories. The skies were also patrolled by winged reptiles, pterosaurs.
Cretaceous Period
Ashton
Created on February 23, 2026
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Transcript
Cretaceous Period
Age of the Dinosaurs
The name "Cretaceous" comes from the Latin word "creta," meaning "chalk." This period is when massive chalk deposits formed
Lasted ~79 million years
This period lasted roughly 79 million years, making it one of the longest periods in the Phanerozoic Eon. This period was also the final stage of the Mesozoic Era.
Massive Extrinction
The Earth seemed to be flourishing, but this was inevitably ended by the asteroid that ended the age of the dinosaurs.
What Was the World Like?
The world was much warmer than today, with no polar ice caps and high sea levels that flooded continents. Additionally, the atmoshphere had higher CO2 levels, supporting lush forests and extrmely large herbavors.
After the mass extinction, the Earth experienced a major ice age. During this ice age, mammals became the dominating species and eventually evolved into all mammals we know today.
Biodiversity Exploded
Volcanic activity during this time skyrocketed due to the spreading ocean floor. Because of this, extra CO2 was pumped into the atmosphere, causing higher temperatures.
For example, flowering plants more than doubled in biodiversity, creating the early ancestors of the pollinators we know today.
Along with sauropods, many other fantasy-like organisms roamed the Earth at this time. Super predators like the T-Rex and mosasaurs ruled over their respective territories. The skies were also patrolled by winged reptiles, pterosaurs.