Paleocene
Paleocene
Hierarchy: | Phanerozoic Cenozoic Paleogene Paleocene |
---|---|
Classification: | Epoch (as per International Commission on Stratigraphy) |
Top: | 56.0 Ma |
Base: | 66.0 Ma |
Preceeds: | Eocene Ypresian |
Follows: | Mesozoic Cretaceous Late/Upper Cretaceous Maastrichtian |
Primary Divisions: | ThanetianSelandianDanian |
Climate tropical. Modern plants appear; Mammals diversify into a number of primitive lineages following the extinction of the dinosaurs. First large mammals (up to bear or small hippo size). Alpine orogeny in Europe and Asia begins. Indian Subcontinent collides with Asia 55 Ma, Himalayan Orogeny starts between 52 and 48 Ma.
Geologic Events
Event Name | Type | Age | Area |
---|---|---|---|
Chicxulub impact | Impact Event | 66 Ma | Yucatan peninsula, Mexico |
Deccan Traps volcanism (concludes) | Volcanic Activity | 66.25 - 65.5 Ma | India |
Kerguelen Plateau formation (ongoing) | Volcanic Activity | 119 - 34 Ma | Southern Indian Ocean |
Pangaea breakup (ongoing) | Continental Breakup | 175 - 55 Ma | Global |
Andean orogeny (ongoing) | Orogeny | Maximum Age: 200 Ma | South America |
Laurasia supercontinent (ongoing) | Supercontinent | 215 - 55 Ma | Northern Hemisphere |
Overview of geological time
List all geological events