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How did the climate change during the Cenozoic era?

Adalberto Methley

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The Cenozoic era, which stretched from 65 million years ago to the present day, is known for its vast and dramatic shifts in the Earth's climate. Going back to the beginning of the Cenozoic era, we see that temperatures were relatively stable and warm, with temperatures across the world ranging between 25 and 28°C. However, as time went on, there were a number of significant climate changes that occurred, leading to a world that was vastly different from the one we're living in now.

One of the first major shifts in climate that occurred during the early Cenozoic era was the expansion of the ice caps at the poles. This was caused by the increase in atmospheric CO2 which led to a cooling of the planet's temperature. However, it wasn't until around 34 million years ago that global temperatures began to drop significantly. This was due to a number of factors, including the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the opening of the Drake Passage, which allowed for the formation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

The result of these changes was a significant cooling across much of the world, with the polar regions experiencing the most dramatic changes. By 23 million years ago, the Antarctic ice sheet had formed, leading to a massive drop in sea levels and changes in ocean circulation patterns. This had a knock-on effect on the Earth's climate, leading to increased aridity across much of the world, as well as more extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and hurricane-force storms.

Moving forward into the Neogene period, which began around 23 million years ago, the Earth's climate began to fluctuate between warm periods and glacial periods. During the warm periods, temperatures were similar to those we experience today, although sea levels were much higher due to the melting of the polar ice caps. However, it was during the glacial periods, which occurred roughly every 40,000 years, that the Earth's climate underwent some of its most dramatic changes.

During these periods, temperatures would drop by as much as 10°C, with the polar regions experiencing the most severe changes. Huge ice sheets would form, covering much of North America and Europe, while sea levels dropped by as much as 150 meters. It's thought that these changes were caused by a combination of factors, including solar radiation fluctuations and changes in ocean currents.

Looking at the more recent past, we see that the Earth's climate has continued to fluctuate between warm and cool periods. The last glacial period, which ended around 11,700 years ago, was followed by a period of warming known as the Holocene. However, in recent years, we've seen a significant increase in global temperatures, largely due to the increase in atmospheric CO2 caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

In conclusion, the Cenozoic era was characterized by vast and dramatic shifts in the Earth's climate. While temperatures were relatively stable and warm at the beginning of the era, the onset of the Neogene period saw the Earth's climate change in radical ways. From the formation of the Antarctic ice sheet to the onset of glacial periods, the Cenozoic era was a time of immense change and transformation, shaping the planet we live on today.