TriassicCretaceous

TriassicCretaceous refers to a geological period of time encompassing the late Triassic and early Cretaceous epochs. This timeframe is of significant interest to paleontologists and geologists as it witnessed crucial evolutionary developments and major environmental shifts. During the late Triassic, the first true dinosaurs began to appear, alongside a proliferation of other reptiles and the emergence of early mammals. Pangea, the supercontinent, was starting to break apart, influencing global climate and marine life.

As the period transitioned into the Cretaceous, dinosaur diversity exploded. Iconic species like tyrannosaurs, raptors, and large sauropods dominated terrestrial ecosystems. The oceans also teemed with life, including large marine reptiles such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs, as well as the ancestors of modern sharks and bony fish. Flowering plants, or angiosperms, evolved during the Cretaceous, dramatically altering landscapes and food webs. This era concluded with the K-Pg extinction event, which led to the demise of non-avian dinosaurs and many other species, paving the way for the rise of mammals. Studying the TriassicCretaceous period provides invaluable insights into the history of life on Earth, the dynamics of continental drift, and the drivers of mass extinction events.