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How much higher were global sea levels during the Late Cretaceous Period?
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Cretaceous Period
Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins during the late Cretaceous Period. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are the locations of the interval's subduction zones.
During the Late Cretaceous Period, global sea levels were approximately 200 to 250 metres (660 to 820 feet) higher than they are at present.1
This significant rise in sea level was a defining feature of the period, primarily driven by the displacement of water in ocean basins caused by the enlargement of midoceanic ridges. These elevated levels led to widespread marine inundation of the continents, resulting in the formation of shallow epicontinental seas across various landmasses.1