THE CRETACEOUS Meaning and
Definition
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The Cretaceous, a geological period that occurred approximately 145 to 66 million years ago, is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era. It follows the Jurassic period and is succeeded by the Paleogene period of the Cenozoic Era. Spanning a duration of about 79 million years, the Cretaceous witnessed significant geological events and marked important biological developments. It comprised the final chapter of the age of dinosaurs before their extinction.
During the Cretaceous period, Earth experienced major tectonic movements, leading to the formation of several mountain chains and the separation of continents. The supercontinent Pangaea continued to break apart, with the Atlantic Ocean widening, promoting the distribution of different flora and fauna across different land masses.
The Cretaceous witnessed a diverse range of life forms, including iconic dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus. Marine reptiles like Mosasaurus and Plesiosaurus, as well as flying reptiles known as pterosaurs, thrived during this time. Additionally, the period saw the emergence of flowering plants, the rapid evolution of insects, and the rise of modern marine ecosystems marked by the presence of abundant plankton, corals, and mollusks.
The end of the Cretaceous period is notably marked by a mass extinction event, commonly known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, which wiped out not only non-avian dinosaurs but also many other forms of life. This event is widely believed to have been caused by the impact of a large asteroid or comet, leading to global climate disruptions and environmental upheavals.
Common Misspellings for THE CRETACEOUS
- rhe cretaceous
- fhe cretaceous
- ghe cretaceous
- yhe cretaceous
- 6he cretaceous
- 5he cretaceous
- tge cretaceous
- tbe cretaceous
- tne cretaceous
- tje cretaceous
- tue cretaceous
- tye cretaceous
- thw cretaceous
- ths cretaceous
- thd cretaceous
- thr cretaceous
- th4 cretaceous
- th3 cretaceous
- the xretaceous
- the vretaceous
Etymology of THE CRETACEOUS
The word "Cretaceous" originates from the Latin term "creta", which means "chalk". It refers to the chalk deposits that were prominent during the time when geologists first defined this period. The Cretaceous period, occurring approximately 145 to 66 million years ago, followed the Jurassic period and was characterized by the presence of extensive chalk formations in various regions, notably in Cretaceous-age rocks in Europe and England. Thus, the name "Cretaceous" was given to this period due to the prevalence of chalk deposits.
Idioms with the word THE CRETACEOUS
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the Cretaceous
"The Cretaceous" refers to a specific period in Earth's history, approximately 145 to 66 million years ago, during which dinosaurs roamed the planet and much of the modern characteristics of plants and animals emerged. It is also known as the time when flowering plants first appeared.
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