Key Concepts of Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key events, concepts, and terminology related to the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.

Pangaea

The supercontinent that formed towards the end of the Paleozoic Era.

Black shales

Sedimentary rocks formed under undisturbed anaerobic sea bottoms.

Cyclothems

Cyclic sedimentation patterns formed during the Pennsylvanian period due to fluctuating sea levels.

Unconformity

A major boundary that marks significant geological events, like between the Kaskaskia and Absaroka sequences.

Permian Extinction

A major extinction event marking the end of the Paleozoic era, caused by increased volcanic activity.

Archaeocyathids

An index fossil indicative of the Cambrian period.

Endothermic

Describes an organism, such as certain dinosaurs, that is warm-blooded.

Laramide Orogeny

Mountain building event during the Late Cretaceous involving igneous activity.

Coal Formation

The process of creating coal deposits, particularly during the Carboniferous period.

Ammonites

A group of marine mollusks that existed from the Devonian to the Cretaceous.

Ichthyosaur

A marine reptile discovered by Mary Anning, known for its dolphin-like shape.

Eurypterids

Known as sea scorpions, these predatory organisms existed from the Ordovician to the Permian.

Fusulinids

A type of foraminifera that diversified in the Permian period but went extinct by the end.

Pennyslvanian period

The geological period known for swamps and vast coal deposits.

Plesiosaur

Marine reptiles with long necks, discovered by Mary Anning.

Mesozoic Era

Often referred to as the Age of Reptiles or Dinosaurs, marked by the appearance of birds and mammals.

Exoskeleton

A hard outer structure that offers protection against predators and UV radiation.

Coccolithophores

Micro-invertebrates that first appeared in the Jurassic and are major components of certain chalk formations.

Tethys Sea

A significant body of water that covered parts of the newly forming Gulf of Mexico.

Saurischia

One of the major dinosaur groups, known for lizard-hipped structure.

Ornithischia

Bird-hipped dinosaurs, a major group in dinosaur classification.

Dimetrodon

An early Permian reptile from a group called pelycosaurs, known to be carnivorous.

Triassic period

The initial period during which dinosaurs first appeared.

Marine Reptiles

Reptiles that lived in the oceans, including ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs.

Glaciation

A climatic event that led to mass extinctions, such as at the end of the Ordovician.

Sedimentation

The process by which particles settle from suspension, essential for the formation of various rock types.

Gulf of Mexico

A shallow sea that developed during the Jurassic period.

Mothering Behavior

Evidence in some dinosaurs that suggests care for their young.

Permian Life

Characterized by diverse marine organisms with fewer coral species.

Hollow bones

An adaptation seen in flying reptiles, contributing to their ability to fly.

Mass Extinction Event

A critical period when a significant number of species were wiped out, such as the Permian extinction.

Nautiloids

Cephalopods that have remained from previous eras, distinguished by their coiled shells.

Diatoms

Microalgae that became abundant in the Cretaceous and significantly impacted marine ecosystems.

K-T Boundary

The geological boundary marking the end of the Cretaceous period and the extinction of many species.

Shock Quartz

Evidence found in the K-T boundary indicating an impact event that contributed to the extinction.

Sea Lilies

Common name for crinoids, marine organisms that dominated during the Mississippian period.

Organized Communities

Advanced communities of organisms found in fossil evidence, showcasing the complexity of early life.

Theropods

Carnivorous dinosaurs that include well-known species like T. rex and Velociraptor.

Paleontologist

A scientist who studies fossils, including notable figures like Mary Anning.

Supervolcano

A massive volcanic eruption believed to have contributed to the Permian extinction.

Lycopsids

Ancient plants that thrived during the Carboniferous period.

Tetrapods

Four-limbed animals, including amphibians which first appeared in the Pennsylvanian period.

Cretaceous Period

The last period of the Mesozoic era, known for the dominance of dinosaurs and appearance of angiosperms.

Chicxulub Crater

Impact site in the Yucatán Peninsula associated with the mass extinction at the K-T boundary.

Tectonic Stress

Geological forces that led to the uplift of mountain ranges during the Paleozoic era.