TERTIARY PERIOD Meaning and
Definition
-
The Tertiary Period is a geological time period that spanned from approximately 65 million years ago to 2.6 million years ago. It is the third division of the Cenozoic Era, following the Mesozoic Era and preceding the Quaternary Period. The Tertiary Period is characterized by significant geological and paleontological changes that occurred after the mass extinction event which wiped out the dinosaurs and numerous other species.
During the Tertiary Period, the Earth experienced major climate shifts, transitioning from a greenhouse to an icehouse climate. This period witnessed the uplift of the Himalayas and the formation of other mountain ranges due to tectonic activity. The oceans saw the emergence of modern marine ecosystems, with the development of coral reefs and the diversification of various marine organisms.
The Tertiary Period also witnessed the evolution and radiation of numerous mammal groups, including primates, rodents, artiodactyls, cetaceans, and proboscideans. The appearance of flowering plants became dominant during this period, leading to the spread of diverse vegetation across the expanding continents. The period culminated in the appearance of early humans (Homo) near its end. The Tertiary Period is further divided into five epochs: Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene.
Overall, the Tertiary Period represents a critical phase in Earth's history, characterized by significant geological transformations, the rise of modern ecosystems, and the emergence of diverse mammalian lineages that ultimately shaped the world as we know it today.
Common Misspellings for TERTIARY PERIOD
- rertiary period
- fertiary period
- gertiary period
- yertiary period
- 6ertiary period
- 5ertiary period
- twrtiary period
- tsrtiary period
- tdrtiary period
- trrtiary period
- t4rtiary period
- t3rtiary period
- teetiary period
- tedtiary period
- teftiary period
- tettiary period
- te5tiary period
- te4tiary period
- terriary period
Etymology of TERTIARY PERIOD
The word "tertiary" comes from the Latin word "tertius", meaning "third". The term "tertiary period" was coined by geologists in the 18th century to refer to the third and final period of the Cenozoic Era in Earth's geological history. The Tertiary period lasted from about 66 million to 2.6 million years ago and was later divided into the Paleogene and Neogene epochs.
Similar spelling words for TERTIARY PERIOD
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
