Jurassic

Jurassic

The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that spans 56.3 million years from the end of the Triassic Period 201.3 million years ago (Mya) to the beginning of the Cretaceous Period 145 Mya. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Reptiles. The start of the period was marked by the major Triassic–Jurassic extinction event. Two other extinction events occurred during the period: the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction in the Early Jurassic, and the Tithonian event at the end; however, neither event ranks among the "Big Five" mass extinctions.

Etymology and history

The Jurassic period is named for the Jura Mountains within the European Alps, where limestone strata from the period were first identified.

Geography and climate

During the early Jurassic, the supercontinent Pangaea broke up into the northern supercontinent Laurasia and the southern supercontinent Gondwana; the Gulf of Mexico opened in the new rift between North America and what is now Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Life

The Jurassic period saw the first appearance of birds, as well as the evolution and radiation of dinosaurs into a diverse range of forms.

See also

• Triassic
• Cretaceous
• Mesozoic Era
• Age of Reptiles
• Triassic–Jurassic extinction event
• Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction
• Tithonian event
• Jura Mountains
• Pangaea
• Laurasia
• Gondwana
• Gulf of Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula
• Birds
• Dinosaurs

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