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The Mesozoic Era, known as the 'Age of Reptiles,' featured the rise and fall of dinosaurs across three periods, culminating in their extinction due to an asteroid impact. The Cenozoic Era, or 'Age of Mammals,' saw the diversification of mammals and the emergence of modern humans. Currently, we are in the Anthropocene epoch, where human activities significantly impact the planet, leading to climate change and biodiversity loss, with the future dependent on our choices.

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16 views2 pages

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The Mesozoic Era, known as the 'Age of Reptiles,' featured the rise and fall of dinosaurs across three periods, culminating in their extinction due to an asteroid impact. The Cenozoic Era, or 'Age of Mammals,' saw the diversification of mammals and the emergence of modern humans. Currently, we are in the Anthropocene epoch, where human activities significantly impact the planet, leading to climate change and biodiversity loss, with the future dependent on our choices.

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medozk moeren
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4.

2 The Mesozoic Era (252–66 Million Years Ago)


The Mesozoic, or “Age of Reptiles,” saw the rise and fall of the
dinosaurs.
 Triassic Period (~252–201 million years ago): Early dinosaurs and
mammals emerged.
 Jurassic Period (~201–145 million years ago): Dinosaurs
dominated; the first birds evolved.
 Cretaceous Period (~145–66 million years ago): Flowering plants
(angiosperms) appeared. The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg)
extinction (~66 million years ago), caused by an asteroid impact,
led to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs.
4.3 The Cenozoic Era (66 Million Years Ago–Present)
The Cenozoic, or “Age of Mammals,” led to the rise of modern
ecosystems and humans.
 Paleogene Period (~66–23 million years ago): Mammals
diversified, birds flourished, and modern plants expanded.
 Neogene Period (~23–2.6 million years ago): Early hominins
appeared in Africa; the ancestors of modern humans evolved.
 Quaternary Period (2.6 million years ago–Present): The Ice Ages
occurred; Homo sapiens emerged (~300,000 years ago).
Civilization developed over the past 10,000 years.

5. The Anthropocene and the Future of Earth


Many scientists argue that we are now in the Anthropocene, a new
epoch shaped by human activities:
 Climate change from fossil fuel use is altering global
temperatures.
 Biodiversity loss from deforestation, pollution, and habitat
destruction is accelerating.
 Technological advancements could shape the planet’s future, from
geoengineering to space exploration.
The fate of Earth depends on natural cycles and human choices, with
potential scenarios ranging from sustainability to environmental
collapse.

Conclusion
Earth's history is a testament to the dynamic forces that have shaped
our planet, from cosmic collisions to the rise of intelligent life.
Understanding the past allows us to appreciate Earth's complexity and
anticipate future challenges, ensuring that humanity's impact is a force
for preservation rather than destruction.

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