Oligoceneage

The Oligocene Epoch is a geologic epoch that spanned from approximately 33.9 to 23 million years ago. It is the earliest epoch of the Paleogene Period and lies between the Eocene Epoch below and the Miocene Epoch above. The Oligocene is marked by significant global cooling following the warm Eocene, leading to the expansion of ice sheets in Antarctica and a drop in global sea levels. This climatic shift had profound effects on ecosystems worldwide.

During the Oligocene, the diversification of mammals continued, with many modern groups appearing or becoming more prominent. The evolution of large herbivores like rhinos and early elephants, as well as various groups of primates, characterized this era. In the oceans, marine life also adapted to the changing conditions. Coral reefs, which had flourished in the Eocene, saw some decline due to cooler waters and lower sea levels, but new reef communities began to establish in warmer regions.

The breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea continued, with continents drifting towards their present-day positions. This continental drift influenced ocean currents and contributed to the developing climate patterns. The Oligocene saw the formation of significant mountain ranges, including the Alps and the Himalayas, as tectonic plates collided. These geological events shaped landscapes and further influenced regional climates and the distribution of life. The epoch concluded with a significant extinction event, the Grande Coupure, which dramatically reshaped mammalian faunas in Europe and Asia, paving the way for the Miocene.