Palaeogene facts for kids
The Palaeogene (say "PAY-lee-oh-jeen") is a very long time in Earth's history. Its name means "old generation" in Greek. It was the first geological period of the Cainozoic Era and the tenth period in the Phanerozoic eon.
This important period started about 65 million years ago and finished around 23 million years ago. Before the Palaeogene came the Cretaceous Period, and after it came the Neogene Period.
The Palaeogene Period is divided into three main parts, called epochs:
- The Palaeocene Epoch
- The Eocene Epoch
- The Oligocene Epoch
Originally, the Palaeogene and the Neogene were grouped together as one big period called the Tertiary. But recently, scientists decided to split them into two separate periods.
Contents
What Was the Palaeogene Period?
The Palaeogene Period was a time of big changes on Earth. It began right after the extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs and many other types of life. This meant there was a lot of space for new animals and plants to grow and evolve.
How Long Did the Palaeogene Last?
The Palaeogene Period lasted for about 42 million years. This is a very long time, much longer than human history! During these millions of years, the Earth's climate and landscapes changed a lot.
Life During the Palaeogene
After the dinosaurs disappeared, mammals started to become very important. They grew in size and diversity, filling many of the roles that dinosaurs used to have.
Mammals in the Palaeogene
In the early Palaeogene, mammals were mostly small. But over time, they evolved into many different shapes and sizes. Some of the first large mammals appeared, including early forms of horses, rhinos, and elephants. Primates, the group that includes monkeys and humans, also began to develop during this time.
Plants and Forests
The world was generally warmer and wetter during the Palaeogene than it is today. This warm climate helped forests to spread widely across the continents. Many types of flowering plants, which are called angiosperms, became very common. These forests provided homes and food for the evolving mammals and other animals.
Ocean Life
The oceans also saw big changes. New types of marine life appeared, including many kinds of fish and marine mammals like early whales. The extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous had also affected ocean life, so new species had room to grow and thrive.
Climate and Geography
The Earth's continents continued to move during the Palaeogene. This movement, called plate tectonics, shaped the land as we know it today.
Continental Drift
During the Palaeogene, the continents were still drifting apart from the supercontinent Pangaea. For example, Australia and Antarctica were still connected for part of the period, but they slowly separated. India continued its journey north, eventually colliding with Asia to form the Himalayas.
Climate Changes
The early Palaeogene was quite warm, especially during the Eocene Epoch. There were even palm trees growing in places that are now very cold, like parts of North America and Europe. However, towards the end of the Palaeogene, during the Oligocene Epoch, the climate started to cool down. This cooling led to the growth of ice sheets in Antarctica, which changed global sea levels.
Why Is the Palaeogene Important?
The Palaeogene Period is very important because it was a time when life on Earth recovered and changed dramatically after a major extinction. It set the stage for the modern world we live in. The evolution of mammals during this period led to the diverse animal life we see today, including ourselves!
See also
In Spanish: Paleógeno para niños
