Jurassic Period
201-145 Million years ago · Prehistoric
The Jurassic Period (201-145 million years ago) was a major interval of the Mesozoic Era characterized by the diversification of dinosaurs and the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea into Laurasia and Gondwana. This period saw the dominance of long-necked sauropods, stegosaurs, and large carnivores like Allosaurus. The first birds evolved from small therapod dinosaurs, and marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs flourished in the warm shallow seas.
Key Figures
Othniel Charles MarshWilliam SmithMary Anning
Locations
Morrison FormationLyme Regis
Topics
dinosaursperiodslife
Connected Events — 2 Connections
The Late Jurassic represents the final and most diverse phase of Jurassic evolution, when continental separation had progressed enough to create distinct regional dinosaur faunas while retaining the warm global climate that characterized the entire period Late Jurassic Period
The Jurassic represents the middle chapter of the Mesozoic's three-act drama, inheriting Triassic's post-extinction recovery and bequeathing to the Cretaceous the continental separation and evolutionary innovations that would define the final age of dinosaurs Mesozoic Era
The Time Detectives® · Cadet Mission
Investigate This Event
Place it on the timeline. Earn points. Master the connections.
New to The Time Detectives?
Learn what it is →