Carboniferous Period

The Carboniferous period, also known as the "Coal Age," lasted from about 359 to 299 million years ago. It was a time of significant geological, climatic, and evolutionary changes.

Climate and Environment

During the Carboniferous period, the Earth's climate was warm and humid. Vast swampy forests covered much of the land, and the high levels of atmospheric oxygen supported the growth of giant insects and amphibians.

Plant Life

The Carboniferous period is known for the evolution and diversification of early vascular plants, including tree ferns, horsetails, and early seed-bearing plants. These plants played a crucial role in the formation of extensive coal deposits that are still used as a source of fossil fuel today.

Animal Life

On land, early amphibians and reptiles were dominant. In the oceans, marine life flourished, with diverse groups of fish and the rise of early sharks. The giant insects of the Carboniferous, such as dragonflies with wingspans of over two feet, were a result of the high oxygen levels in the atmosphere.

Study Guide

• What was the climate like during the Carboniferous period?
• How did the high oxygen levels in the atmosphere contribute to the evolution of giant insects?
• What types of plants were dominant during the Carboniferous period, and how did they contribute to the formation of coal deposits?
• Describe the dominant animal life on land and in the oceans during the Carboniferous period.
• What significant geological and climatic changes occurred during this time?