CENOZOIC ERA Meaning and
Definition
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The Cenozoic Era is a major division of geological time that spans approximately 66 million years from the extinction of dinosaurs (at the end of the Mesozoic Era) to the present day. It is often referred to as the "Age of Mammals," as it witnessed the rise and diversification of mammalian life forms on Earth. The Cenozoic Era is divided into three major epochs: the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary.
During the Paleogene epoch, which lasted from about 66 to 23 million years ago, mammals underwent significant evolutionary changes and diversified into various ecological niches. This period saw the emergence of early primates, alongside the evolution of many modern mammal groups.
The Neogene epoch, lasting from approximately 23 million to 2.6 million years ago, featured further diversification and development of mammals, including the emergence of hominids and the evolution of many modern genera and families.
The ongoing Quaternary epoch began around 2.6 million years ago and continues to the present day. This epoch is characterized by numerous glaciations and interglacial periods and includes the rise of Homo sapiens and the development of human civilizations.
The Cenozoic Era is marked by dramatic shifts in climate, geological events, and biological evolution. It witnessed the dominance of mammals on land, the emergence and refinement of many major plant lineages, and the establishment of modern ecosystems. The fossils and geological records from the Cenozoic Era provide critical insights into the Earth's history and the processes that have shaped our planet.
Common Misspellings for CENOZOIC ERA
- xenozoic era
- venozoic era
- fenozoic era
- denozoic era
- cwnozoic era
- csnozoic era
- cdnozoic era
- crnozoic era
- c4nozoic era
- c3nozoic era
- cebozoic era
- cemozoic era
- cejozoic era
- cehozoic era
- cenizoic era
- cenkzoic era
- cenlzoic era
- cenpzoic era
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Etymology of CENOZOIC ERA
The word "Cenozoic" comes from the Greek words "kainos", meaning "new", and "zoikos", meaning "animal life". These words were combined to create "kainozoikos", which means "new life". The term was first used by the Scottish geologist Charles Lyell in 1833 to refer to the current geological era, during which new forms of life emerged after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Over time, the term was anglicized to "Cenozoic Era" and has since become widely used in geological and paleontological contexts.
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