The Cretaceous (IPA: / k r ɪ ˈ t eɪ ʃ ə s / krih-TAY-shəss) [2] is a geological period that lasted from about 143.1 to 66 million years ago (Mya). It is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era, as well as the longest. At around 77 million years, it is the ninth and longest geological period of the entire Phanerozoic.

5 days ago · Cretaceous Period, in geologic time, the last of the three periods of the Mesozoic Era. It began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago and featured the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the period.

5 days ago · Cretaceous Period - Mesozoic, Paleogene, Cenozoic: The rocks that were either deposited or formed during the Cretaceous Period make up the Cretaceous System. The Cretaceous System is divided into two rock series, Lower and Upper, which correspond to units of time known as the Early Cretaceous Epoch (145 million to 100.5 million years ago) and ...

Jan 17, 2025 · Cretaceous Period - Dinosaurs, Plants, Marine Life: Although the fossil record is irregular in quality and quantity for the Early Cretaceous, it is obvious that dinosaurs continued their lengthy dominance of the land.

The Cretaceous Period lasted for nearly 80 million years. Discover what the climate was like in this geological period, where the continents were and what animals and plants lived on them. Find out how an asteroid ended the age of dinosaurs.

The dinosaurs of the Early Cretaceous, before the Seaway, are a mix of Jurassic-like holdovers and newer forms. The long, low Diplodocus -like sauropods and the plated stegosaurs went extinct, while ankylosaurs and ornithopods diversified.

During this period, oceans formed as land shifted and broke out of one big supercontinent into smaller ones. Continents were on the move in the Cretaceous, busy remodeling the shape and tone of...

The main contender for the Cretaceous mass extinction event is a huge asteroid striking Earth about 66 million years ago. Eleven other impact structures are known from the Cretaceous, but none rival the terminal event of the Cretaceous.

Jul 26, 2022 · The Cretaceous period lasted approximately 79 million years, and ended with a major extinction event about 66 million years ago.

Nov 13, 2018 · The Cretaceous Period facts for kids and adults. Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Cretaceous Period! The Cretaceous Period was the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era. During the Cretaceous Period dinosaurs continued to rule on land, while giant marine reptiles dominated the oceans.