The word “Cenozoic” is a geological term that corresponds to the earth’s current era as delineated by the geological timescale. This era began approximately 65 million years ago after the K-Pg extinction (extinction of the dinosaurs).

The word origin of Cenozoic refers to “recent or new life.” It is sometimes called the Age of Mammals due to the proliferation of mammals during the era. However not only did the mammals expand, so did the presence of birds, insects, fish and plants.

The Cenozoic Era is characterized by a highly variable climatological profile, which at its inception was much warmer than current global temperatures. Over time, a slow cooling trend began culminated in the Ice Age of the Pleistocene Epoch.

The earth’s tectonic plates continued to make substantial transformations during the Cenozoic, moving the continents the current positions they are today.

Now you know!