Jurassic Period

E9585

The Jurassic Period was a major division of the Mesozoic Era characterized by warm climates, the dominance and diversification of dinosaurs, and the early evolution of birds.

Aliases (2)

Statements (53)
Predicate Object
instanceOf division of the Mesozoic Era
geological period
characterizedBy abundant marine reptiles
active plate tectonics
ammonite diversification
breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea
diversification of dinosaurs
dominance of dinosaurs on land
early evolution of birds
extensive shallow epicontinental seas
high sea levels
humid conditions in many regions
lush vegetation
opening of the Atlantic Ocean
reef-building by sponges and corals
volcanism in many regions
warm climate
climateComparedToToday generally warmer
duration about 56 million years
end about 145 million years ago
follows Triassic Period
hasCommonDinosaurs ornithopods
sauropods
stegosaurs
theropods
hasCommonMarineInvertebrates ammonites
belemnites
hasCommonMarineReptiles ichthyosaurs
plesiosaurs
pliosaurs
hasCommonPlants conifers
cycads
ferns
ginkgos
horsetails
hasDominantTerrestrialVertebrates dinosaurs
hasFirstAppearance archaeopterygiform birds
many modern groups of insects
true birds
hasNotableFossilSite Morrison Formation
Oxford Clay
Solnhofen Limestone
nameCoinedBy Alexandre Brongniart
nameCoinedIn early 19th century
namedAfter Jura Mountains
oceanOxygenLevels generally high with some anoxic events
partOf Mesozoic Era
polarRegions warmer and largely ice-free
precedes Cretaceous Period
start about 201.3 million years ago
subdividedInto Early Jurassic
Late Jurassic
Middle Jurassic


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