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Environment Description:

What was the temperature of the Earth (1 point)

How much water was present compared to land surface (1 point)

What gases were present in the atmosphere (1 point)

What kind of life (animals, plants, etc.) was present? (1 point)

JURASSIC PEROID

1 answer

Jurassic Period Environment Description:

  1. Temperature of the Earth:

    • The average global temperature during the Jurassic Period was generally warmer than today, typically estimated to be between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). There were also significant regional variations, with polar regions experiencing subtropical conditions.

  2. Water Compared to Land Surface:

    • The Jurassic Period saw a significant amount of water on Earth's surface, with approximately 70% of the planet covered by oceans. This means that land was less dominant compared to the vast marine environments. Major inland seas also existed, further increasing the proportion of water to land.

  3. Gases Present in the Atmosphere:

    • The atmosphere during the Jurassic Period was similar to today but with some differences. It consisted mainly of nitrogen (about 70-80%) and oxygen (around 15-20%), along with higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (possibly around 1,500-2,500 ppm compared to today’s approximately 400 ppm), which contributed to the warmer climate and supported lush vegetation.

  4. Types of Life Present:

    • The Jurassic Period was rich in biodiversity. It saw the dominance of dinosaurs, including well-known groups like sauropods (e.g., Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus) and theropods (e.g., Allosaurus, Ceratosaurus). Marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs thrived in the oceans. Pterosaurs ruled the skies. Plant life was dominated by ferns, cycads, ginkgoes, and conifers, with early flowering plants (angiosperms) beginning to appear towards the end of the period.

Overall, the Jurassic was a time of great ecological diversity and evolutionary innovation, particularly among reptiles and plants.