Historical Geology: The Late Paleozoic

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the Late Paleozoic era, including geological periods, major life forms, significant biological and environmental changes, and important geological events.

Late Paleozoic

The geological period encompassing the Carboniferous and Permian periods, marked by significant biological and environmental changes.

Carboniferous Period

A time period from 359 to 299 million years ago characterized by extensive swamps and a large diversity of both marine and terrestrial life.

Permian Period

The last period of the Paleozoic era lasting from 299 to 252 million years ago, marked by the dominance of gymnosperms and significant environmental changes leading to mass extinction.

Ammonoids

Abundant, highly mobile marine creatures that thrived during the Paleozoic, particularly in the late Paleozoic.

Bryozoans

Colonial marine animals that play a significant role in contributing to limestone formations in the late Paleozoic.

Fusulinids

A group of foraminifera that were significant guide fossils for the Upper Carboniferous and Permian, known for their large sizes.

Crinoids

Marine animals that resembled flowers and contributed significantly to the limestone deposits during the Mississippian.

Cyclothems

Sedimentary cycles observed in coal beds that are associated with oscillating sea levels, marked by alternating transgressions and regressions.

Therapsids

An extinct group of synapsid reptiles that showed mammalian traits and included ancestors to modern mammals.

Diapsids

Reptiles distinguished by their two temporal fenestrae, which include modern reptiles and birds.

Pangaea

Supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic, resulting from the collision of continental landmasses.

Alleghenian Orogeny

Mountain-building event during the late Paleozoic associated with the collision of Gondwanaland and Eurasia.

Permian Mass Extinction

A significant event at the end of the Permian period characterized by extensive loss of species, affecting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.