Supracretaceous is a word that refers to something that is situated or occurring above the Cretaceous period, a geological era that occurred between 145 and 66 million years ago. The spelling of this word can seem daunting at first, but it can be broken down phonetically as /suːprəkriːˈteɪʃəs/. The first syllable is pronounced as "soop," while the second syllable is pronounced "puh." The following three syllables are pronounced as "kree-tay-shus," with the stress placed on the third syllable.
Supracretaceous is an adjective used in geology and paleontology to describe features or phenomena that occurred or were formed after the Cretaceous period, which was the last period of the Mesozoic era that lasted from around 145 to 66 million years ago. The term is a combination of the prefix "supra-" which means "above" or "beyond," and "Cretaceous," referring to the specific geological time period.
In the context of geological formations, supracretaceous refers to rocks, sediments, or strata that were deposited or formed above the Cretaceous layers. These formations are typically younger and can include materials such as the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary deposits. Supracretaceous layers may represent various geological processes such as erosion, deposition, tectonic activity, or volcanic eruptions that occurred after the Cretaceous period.
In the field of paleontology, the term can also be used to denote fossils or other traces of life that are found in rocks or sediments that are younger than the Cretaceous period. Such fossils can offer valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of organisms that emerged and thrived in the post-Cretaceous world.
Overall, the term supracretaceous is a useful descriptor for geologists and paleontologists to classify and understand geological and biological features that originated after the Cretaceous period, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of Earth's history.
In geol., applied to deposits lying over the chalk formation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word Supracretaceous is composed of two parts: supra and cretaceous.
Supra, derived from Latin, means above or beyond. It is used as a prefix in English to indicate something that is above or greater than.
Cretaceous, also derived from Latin, refers to the Cretaceous period, which is the geological period that lasted from around 145 to 66 million years ago. It is known for the dominance of dinosaurs and the development of flowering plants. The term Cretaceous itself derives from creta, which means chalk in Latin. This is because chalk formations are widespread in rocks from this period.
Therefore, Supracretaceous can be understood as above/beyond the Cretaceous.