Mesozoic Era
The Mesozoic Era is the era that ended before the era we are in now. This era is when Pangaea broke apart, some of the first modern animals showed up, and when dinosaurs became extinct.
This era started 246 MYA and ended 65 MYA during the Mesozoic Mass extinction, it lasted over 180 million years!
Geologic Events That Happened
*Pangaea breaks apart: Did you know Pangaea did not break apart all at once? It split up in different sections over the course of millions of years. Also, the first oceans formed because of the break apart of Pangaea over 180 MYA.
*South America breaks away from Africa: The Atlantic ocean began to form between these two huge land masses over 70 MYA. This breakage in Pangaea caused major earthquakes and volcanoes to erupt causing damage to the earths new land.
The Mesozoic Era is the era that ended before the era we are in now. This era is when Pangaea broke apart, some of the first modern animals showed up, and when dinosaurs became extinct.
This era started 246 MYA and ended 65 MYA during the Mesozoic Mass extinction, it lasted over 180 million years!
Geologic Events That Happened
*Pangaea breaks apart: Did you know Pangaea did not break apart all at once? It split up in different sections over the course of millions of years. Also, the first oceans formed because of the break apart of Pangaea over 180 MYA.
*South America breaks away from Africa: The Atlantic ocean began to form between these two huge land masses over 70 MYA. This breakage in Pangaea caused major earthquakes and volcanoes to erupt causing damage to the earths new land.
Development of Life
*Flowering Plants: The magnolia is the first flower and it is still around today. This ancient beauty has been around since the Cretaceous period.
*Dinosaurs: Dinosaurs evolved from primitive reptiles over 230 MYA. The earliest known dinosaur is a dog sized meat eater named the Eoraptor from over 228 MYA.
*Snakes: The first snakes evolved from early lizards more than 150 MYA. The snakes began to "take over" after the dinosaurs died about 95 MYA.
*Mesozoic Mass Extinction: This Mass Extinction over 65 MYA caused enormous change in the earth including the wipe out of the dinosaurs. There is no certain answer but scientists believe this happened when an object from space struck Earth.
*Flowering Plants: The magnolia is the first flower and it is still around today. This ancient beauty has been around since the Cretaceous period.
*Dinosaurs: Dinosaurs evolved from primitive reptiles over 230 MYA. The earliest known dinosaur is a dog sized meat eater named the Eoraptor from over 228 MYA.
*Snakes: The first snakes evolved from early lizards more than 150 MYA. The snakes began to "take over" after the dinosaurs died about 95 MYA.
*Mesozoic Mass Extinction: This Mass Extinction over 65 MYA caused enormous change in the earth including the wipe out of the dinosaurs. There is no certain answer but scientists believe this happened when an object from space struck Earth.