MIOCENE EPOCH Meaning and
Definition
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The Miocene Epoch is a major division of geologic time that occurred approximately 23 to 5.3 million years ago. It is classified as a subdivision of the Neogene Period and follows the Oligocene Epoch. The Miocene Epoch is characterized by significant climate changes and the diversification and evolution of many terrestrial and marine lifeforms.
During this epoch, global temperatures experienced a gradual cooling trend, transitioning from the warmer conditions of the earlier Eocene and Oligocene epochs. The cooling led to the expansion of ice caps in Antarctica, resulting in the formation of large glaciers and lowering sea levels.
The terrestrial environment experienced substantial changes during the Miocene Epoch. The spread of grasslands and savannas led to the development of new vegetation types, which in turn influenced the evolution and adaptation of mammals. Iconic fauna such as mammoths, horses, apes, and many modern mammalian groups arose during this period.
In marine environments, the Miocene Epoch saw the diversification of marine mammals, including whales, seals, and sea cows. It was also marked by the appearance of various modern genera of fish, mollusks, and corals.
The Miocene Epoch holds significant importance in understanding Earth's history as well as the evolution of life on our planet. Numerous fossil-rich sites have provided scientists with valuable insight into the development and transformation of both flora and fauna, making it an essential time period for paleontological and geological research.
Common Misspellings for MIOCENE EPOCH
- niocene epoch
- kiocene epoch
- jiocene epoch
- muocene epoch
- mjocene epoch
- mkocene epoch
- moocene epoch
- m9ocene epoch
- m8ocene epoch
- miicene epoch
- mikcene epoch
- milcene epoch
- mipcene epoch
- mi0cene epoch
- mi9cene epoch
- mioxene epoch
- miovene epoch
- miofene epoch
- miodene epoch
Etymology of MIOCENE EPOCH
The word "Miocene" is derived from two Greek words: "meion" meaning "less" or "smaller" and "kainos" meaning "new" or "recent". These words were combined to create the term "Miocene", which was first used by the Scottish geologist Sir Charles Lyell in 1833. The "Miocene Epoch" refers to a geological time period that occurred approximately 23 million to 5.3 million years ago, known for the proliferation of mammals and the emergence of modern forms of animals and plants.
