Mesozoic Era
Published on Nov 18, 2015
A short PowerPoint with basic information in the slides and details in the public speakers notes. For use in Mrs. Pons eight grade science class, but freely available for all.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
MESOZOIC ERA
SARAH HYER
TRIASSIC PERIOD
- Early Mesozoic Era
- Started 49 million years ago
- First dinorsaurs roamed the Earth
The Triassic period was between 251 and 199 million years ago. It was the first period of the Mesozoic era. Warm blooded reptiles dominated the south of the supercontinent, cold blooded reptiles taking the north.
The middle of Pangea was a desert, and most of the massive fern species died out. Pine trees took over as the dominant plant.
The first dinosaurs, flying reptiles, mammals, and flowering plants are said to have begun around this time. Though many did not survive the catastrophe (presumed to be giant volcano eruptions) that makes the start of the Jurassic period.
The middle of Pangea was a desert, and most of the massive fern species died out. Pine trees took over as the dominant plant.
The first dinosaurs, flying reptiles, mammals, and flowering plants are said to have begun around this time. Though many did not survive the catastrophe (presumed to be giant volcano eruptions) that makes the start of the Jurassic period.
Photo by Mark Witton
JURRASIC PERIOD
- First birds appear
- Started about 40 million years ago
- Middle Mesozoic era
The Jurassic period began around 199 million years ago, and ended about 145 million years ago.
The supercontinent Pangea was beginning to break up into smaller continents around this time. Dinosaurs and early mammals were isolated from one another and evolved to fit their surroundings.
The heat and desert of the Triassic changed to a more humid, wet, rainforest like climate. There was no known snow on either continents or poles.
Small, flying, warm blooded reptiles evolved into the first birds.
The warmest of areas had ferns, and the colder were covered in ginkgo and pine trees.
This period was not ended with a catastrophe, but instead gradually changed into the Cretaceous period.
The supercontinent Pangea was beginning to break up into smaller continents around this time. Dinosaurs and early mammals were isolated from one another and evolved to fit their surroundings.
The heat and desert of the Triassic changed to a more humid, wet, rainforest like climate. There was no known snow on either continents or poles.
Small, flying, warm blooded reptiles evolved into the first birds.
The warmest of areas had ferns, and the colder were covered in ginkgo and pine trees.
This period was not ended with a catastrophe, but instead gradually changed into the Cretaceous period.
Photo by Dave Catchpole
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
- Modern seed bearing plants boomed
- Dinosaurs still dominated land
- Late Mesozoic era
The continents moved farther apart, and diverse species from the same ancestors could be found transcontinentally. This period began 145 million years ago, and ended 65 million years ago.
As continents moved over the course of centuries, the climate began to get cooler and rainier. Snow was common in high mountains, and glaciers formed. However, volcanic eruptions and carbon monoxide that resulted warmed the climate up again.
Flowers, seeding plants, grasses and bees thrived in this time. By the end of this period most plants were flowering.
Dinosaurs and birds were the main predators in this time. The birds are new insects, fish, and other meats, and eventually left the pterodactyl extinct. While mammals existed, they were small and few.
The period ended with a bang, that is, of a meteor striking the Earth. The meteor was six miles across, and left a massive crater in its wake. Nearly all dinosaurs died, but snakes, birds, and other reptiles survived along with birds and mammals.
As continents moved over the course of centuries, the climate began to get cooler and rainier. Snow was common in high mountains, and glaciers formed. However, volcanic eruptions and carbon monoxide that resulted warmed the climate up again.
Flowers, seeding plants, grasses and bees thrived in this time. By the end of this period most plants were flowering.
Dinosaurs and birds were the main predators in this time. The birds are new insects, fish, and other meats, and eventually left the pterodactyl extinct. While mammals existed, they were small and few.
The period ended with a bang, that is, of a meteor striking the Earth. The meteor was six miles across, and left a massive crater in its wake. Nearly all dinosaurs died, but snakes, birds, and other reptiles survived along with birds and mammals.
Photo by Mark Witton
