K-T Extincion

KT


The Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction took place 65.5 million years ago. Also known as the KT extinction. As the Tertiary term no longer used by the vast majority of geologists, also called the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.






Importance of extinction


Is one of the five major mass extinctions that is known on Earth. Although it was not the greatest, it is one of the most important, because:


-It caused a fundamental change in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Before the extinction event, 50% of known marine species were unable to move, while after the extinction, only 33% were not. On land, exterminated the dinosaurs extinction, making it possible for mammals to become the dominant terrestrial vertebrate, thus preparing the way for future human evolution.


It marks the end of the Cretaceous period and the beginning Tertiary. In fact, this meant extinction as deep change in ecosystems is considered the boundary between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras.