The Cretaceous Period

A. S. Gale, J. Mutterlose, S. Batenburg, F. M. Gradstein, F. P. Agterberg, J. G. Ogg, M. R. Petrizzo

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

    Abstract

    The breakup of the former Pangea supercontinent culminated in the modern drifting continents. Increased rifting caused the establishment of the Atlantic Ocean in the middle Jurassic and significant widening in Cretaceous. An explosion of calcareous nannoplankton and foraminifers in the warm seas created massive chalk deposits. A surge in submarine volcanic activity enhanced supergreenhouse conditions in the middle Cretaceous with high CO2 concentrations. Angiosperm plants bloomed on the dinosaur-dominated land during late Cretaceous. The Cretaceous dramatically ended with an asteroid impact, which resulted in a mass extinction.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationGeologic Time Scale 2020
    EditorsFelix Gradstein, James G. Ogg, Mark D. Schmitz, Gabi M. Ogg
    PublisherElsevier
    Chapter27
    Pages1023-1086
    Number of pages64
    Volume2
    ISBN (Print)9780128243602
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 20 Nov 2020

    Keywords

    • Berriasian
    • Valanginian
    • Hauterivian
    • Barremian
    • Aptian
    • Albian
    • Cenomanian
    • Turonian
    • Santonian
    • Coniacian
    • Campanian
    • Maastrichian
    • ammonites
    • microfossils

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