Late Cretaceous

The Late Cretaceous is the final period of the Cretaceous epoch, occurring around 100 to 66 million years ago. It was characterized by warm global temperatures, high sea levels, and diverse ecosystems with abundant dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and flowering plants. During this time, continents continued shifting toward their modern positions. The Late Cretaceous ended with a mass extinction event, likely caused by a massive asteroid impact and volcanic activity, leading to the extinction of most dinosaurs and many other species. This period set the stage for the rise of mammals and further evolutionary changes in Earth's history.