Late Jurassic Epoch
Quick Summary
The Late Jurassic Epoch, a subdivision of the Jurassic Period, spanned from approximately 163.5 to 145 million years ago. This era followed the Middle Jurassic and preceded the Cretaceous Period. During the Late Jurassic, dinosaurs continued to dominate terrestrial ecosystems, with sauropods reaching their peak diversity and size. Carnivorous theropods like Allosaurus were also widespread.123
The breakup of the supercontinent Pangea continued, leading to the formation of new ocean basins and significant volcanic activity. In marine environments, diverse life thrived, including ammonites, mollusks, and large marine reptiles. The Morrison Formation in the United States, known for its rich dinosaur fossils, was deposited during this time.245
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