Late Jurassic

E53042

The Late Jurassic was the final epoch of the Jurassic Period, marked by warm climates, high sea levels, and the flourishing of large dinosaurs and early birds.

Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form As subject As object
Upper Jurassic 0 1

Statements (53)

Predicate Object
instanceOf geologic epoch
atmosphere elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide
high atmospheric oxygen compared to present
boundaryDefinition base defined by first appearance of ammonite Cardioceras redcliffense (Oxfordian GSSP)
top approximated near major biotic and geochemical changes at Jurassic–Cretaceous transition
characterizedBy abundant marine reptiles
diverse dinosaur faunas
early birds
large sauropod dinosaurs
large theropod dinosaurs
reef‑building corals
rich ammonite faunas
climate generally warm
largely ice‑free poles
endTime approximately 145 million years ago
flora conifer‑dominated forests
cycads and bennettitaleans
ginkgophytes
follows Middle Jurassic
includesStage Kimmeridgian
Oxfordian
Tithonian
marineLife ammonites
belemnites
ichthyosaurs
marine crocodile relatives
plesiosaurs
notableFossilSite Kimmeridge
surface form: "Kimmeridge Clay"

Morrison Formation
Portland stone
surface form: "Portland Stone"

Solnhofen Limestone
Tendaguru Formation
notableTaxon Allosaurus
Apatosaurus
Archaeopteryx lithographica
surface form: "Archaeopteryx"

Brachiosaurus
Camarasaurus
Ceratosaurus
Diplodocus
Stegosaurus
oceanCoverage extensive shallow epicontinental seas
paleogeography large continental landmasses at lower latitudes
widespread carbonate platforms
partOf Jurassic Period
precedes Cretaceous
surface form: "Early Cretaceous"
seaLevel high global sea levels
startTime approximately 163.5 million years ago
stratotypeRegion Europe
subdivisionOf Mesozoic Era
tectonics continued breakup of Pangaea
opening of the North Atlantic Ocean
separation of Laurasia and Gondwana progressing
timeSpan about 18.5 million years

Referenced by (5)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Kimmeridgian limestone geologicPeriod Late Jurassic
Morrison Formation geologicPeriod Late Jurassic
this entity surface form: "Upper Jurassic"
Jurassic Period subdividedInto Late Jurassic
Saurophaganax maximus temporalRange Late Jurassic