Cenozoic
Introduction
The Cenozoic (also known as Cenozoic Era) is the current and most recent of the three Phanerozoic geological eras, following the Mesozoic Era and covering the period from 66 million years ago to the present day. The Cenozoic is also known as the Age of Mammals, because the form and size of mammals took on a modern appearance during this era.
Paleogene Period
The Cenozoic Era began with the Paleogene period (66 to 23 million years ago), which is further divided into three epochs: the Paleocene, Eocene, and Oligocene.
Paleocene Epoch
The Paleocene Epoch (66 to 56 million years ago) is characterized by the evolution and expansion of mammals, following the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. The climate during the Paleocene was warm and humid, and the world was heavily forested.
Eocene Epoch
The Eocene Epoch (56 to 33.9 million years ago) was a time of significant evolutionary change among life on Earth. During the Eocene, mammals continued to evolve and diversify, with the first appearance of many modern forms of mammals.
Oligocene Epoch
The Oligocene Epoch (33.9 to 23 million years ago) saw the expansion of grasslands, which led to the evolution of large grazing mammals. During this epoch, the first members of the horse family evolved.
Neogene Period
The Neogene period (23 to 2.6 million years ago) includes the Miocene and Pliocene epochs.
Miocene Epoch
The Miocene Epoch (23 to 5.3 million years ago) was a time of warmer global climates than those in the present day. This epoch is marked by the further diversification of mammals and the appearance of the first large mammals.
Pliocene Epoch
The Pliocene Epoch (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago) was a period of cooling and drying climates. The first hominins appeared during this epoch.
Quaternary Period
The Quaternary period (2.6 million years ago to the present) includes the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs.
Pleistocene Epoch
The Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) was marked by repeated glaciations, or ice ages. The evolution of anatomically modern humans took place during the Pleistocene.
Holocene Epoch
The Holocene Epoch (11,700 years ago to the present) is the current epoch, and is characterized by the rise of human civilization.
