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Did any major extinctions happen during the Cenozoic era?

Ura Rogeon

Hey there! Are you curious to know if any major extinctions happened during the Cenozoic era? Well, let me tell you, it was one crazy rollercoaster ride! Strap in, because we're about to make a trip down memory lane and talk about some of the most catastrophic events in earth's history.

To give you a bit of context, the Cenozoic era is divided into three epochs: the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary. The Paleogene saw the aftermath of the extinction of the dinosaurs, which occurred at the end of the previous Mesozoic era. However, it was during the Neogene epoch that things went haywire.

Around 2.6 million years ago, a little thing called the Pliocene-Quaternary extinction event happened. It's not as well-known as the extinction of the dinosaurs, but it was just as devastating. It wiped out over 35% of marine life and 30% of land animals. As if that wasn't enough, it also caused the extinction of some of the most iconic species in history, like the saber-toothed tiger, the woolly mammoth, and the giant sloth.

But here's where things get really interesting. The cause of the Pliocene-Quaternary extinction event is still a mystery to scientists. Some believe it was due to climate change, while others think it was the result of an asteroid impact, just like the one that killed the dinosaurs. Who knew it was possible for history to repeat itself like that?

Now, if you think that was the end of it, think again. There's one more extinction event that happened during the Cenozoic era that I have to talk about: the Holocene extinction. This event is still happening right now, and it's the first one to be caused by humans. That's right, we're responsible for wiping out thousands of species due to our various activities, and we're not slowing down anytime soon.

It's a sobering thought, but it's also a reminder of our impact on the planet. The history of the Cenozoic era is filled with tragedy, but it's also a testament to the resilience of life on earth. As our world continues to change, we must learn from our mistakes and work towards a sustainable future.

So there you have it, a brief (but fascinating) overview of the major extinctions that happened during the Cenozoic era. Who knew history could be so wild? Thanks for joining me on this journey, and until next time, stay curious.