The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, formerly known as the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary, marks the end of the Cretaceous Period and the beginning of the Paleogene Period. This boundary is significant because it represents a major mass extinction event that resulted in the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs among other species.
Key Events and Characteristics
Formation of the Deccan Traps: Massive volcanic eruptions in what is now India during the late Cretaceous Period
Impact event: The Chicxulub impact, a large asteroid or comet impact in what is now the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, which is believed to have contributed to the mass extinction event
Mass extinction: Approximately 75% of all species, including the dinosaurs, became extinct
Adaptive radiation: Following the mass extinction, the surviving species experienced rapid diversification and evolutionary changes, leading to the rise of mammals and other new life forms
Study Guide
When studying the Cretaceous-Paleogene period, it's important to focus on the following key points:
The geological and biological events that occurred during the transition from the Cretaceous to the Paleogene
Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects
Craft and Structure
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