Cretaceous Period

Key Points to Remember:

1. The Cretaceous Period lasted from approximately 145 to 66 million years ago.
2. It was the final period of the Mesozoic Era.
3. During the Cretaceous, the supercontinent Pangaea continued to break apart, leading to the eventual formation of the modern continents.
4. The climate during the Cretaceous was warm and relatively stable, leading to widespread shallow seas and high sea levels.
5. Dinosaurs continued to diversify during this period, with the appearance of iconic species such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.
6. The Cretaceous ended with a mass extinction event, often attributed to the impact of a large asteroid or comet.

Study Guide Questions:

1. What was the climate like during the Cretaceous Period, and how did it impact the environment?
2. What new species of dinosaurs appeared during the Cretaceous, and what were some of their defining characteristics?
3. What are some of the leading theories about the cause of the mass extinction event that marked the end of the Cretaceous Period?
4. How did the breakup of Pangaea impact the geography of the Earth during the Cretaceous?

[Cretaceous] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Geologic timeScience • Eighth Grade