Paleogene
Post-dinosaur geological period
The Paleogene is the first of three geological periods that make up the Cenozoic Era, spanning roughly 66 to 23 million years ago.
It begins right after the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs and encompasses the rise of mammals as the dominant land animals.
The Paleogene is subdivided into three epochs: the Paleocene, Eocene, and Oligocene.
Paleogene fossils reveal the rapid diversification of mammalian species.
Present geological era
- TertiaryOutdated Cenozoic subdivision
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- boundaryLine marking a limit
transition · subdivision · stage · age · duration · million years · radiometric dating · time scale
Mammals with internal nourishment
- marsupialsPouch-bearing mammals
- primatesOrder of higher mammals
- ungulatesHoof-bearing animals
- rodentsGnawing mammal order
Climate-controlled plant enclosure
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
ice-free · carbon cycle · ocean circulation · paleoclimatology · isotopes · sea level · humidity
Floral reproductive grains
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- coprolitesFossilized animal excrement
- trace fossilsPreserved signs of activity
- paleobotanyStudy of ancient flora
Gradual landmass repositioning
- plate tectonicsEarth's crust mobility theory
- Tethys SeaVanished equatorial ocean
- paleogeographyStudy of ancient Earth surfaces
- volcanic activityGeological heat release
orogeny · rifting · landbridge
Cenozoic
Present geological era
- TertiaryOutdated Cenozoic subdivision
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
boundary · transition · subdivision · stage · age · duration · million years · radiometric dating · time scale
placentals
Mammals with internal nourishment
- marsupialsPouch-bearing mammals
- primatesOrder of higher mammals
- ungulatesHoof-bearing animals
greenhouse
Climate-controlled plant enclosure
subtropical · ice-free · carbon cycle · ocean circulation · paleoclimatology · isotopes · sea level · humidity
pollen
Floral reproductive grains
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- coprolitesFossilized animal excrement
- trace fossilsPreserved signs of activity
paleobotany · microfossils · preservation · specimens · excavation
continental drift
Gradual landmass repositioning
- plate tectonicsEarth's crust mobility theory
- Tethys SeaVanished equatorial ocean
- paleogeographyStudy of ancient Earth surfaces
PaleogeneQuaternary
Last 2.6 million years
Cretaceous · Mesozoic · Holocene · Pleistocene · Pliocene
paleontology, paleontologist, paleobiology, Paleocene, Miocene, Holocene, paleontological, Pliocene