Cretaceousage

The Cretaceousage, also known as the Cretaceous Period, was the final geological period of the Mesozoic Era. It began approximately 145 million years ago and ended around 66 million years ago. This era witnessed significant changes in the Earth's geography, climate, and the evolution of life. The supercontinent Pangaea continued to break apart, leading to the formation of new oceans and continents that resemble the world we know today. The climate was generally warm, with higher sea levels than at present.

The plant life of the Cretaceous was dominated by the diversification and spread of flowering plants, or angiosperms. These plants, along with conifers and ferns, formed lush forests across the globe. This period is perhaps most famously known for its diverse and impressive dinosaur fauna. Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor are some of the iconic dinosaurs that roamed the Earth during this time. Birds also evolved significantly during the Cretaceous, with many species coexisting with their reptilian relatives. Mammals, though present, remained relatively small and generally lived in the shadow of the dinosaurs.

The Cretaceous period ended with a mass extinction event, the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction, which wiped out approximately 75% of all species on Earth, including all non-avian dinosaurs. The leading scientific theory attributes this extinction to a massive asteroid impact in what is now the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, though volcanic activity also likely played a role. The demise of the dinosaurs opened up ecological niches, paving the way for the subsequent rise of mammals in the Cenozoic Era.