quaternary+period

= THE QUATERNARY PERIOD = =1.8 mya- Now=

__ Time Period __
=== Our world is like it is today because of the [|Quaternary period]. From humans evolving to cape cod forming, it was a pretty big leap in Earth's history. We are all here because of the Quaternary Period! But, it started long before that. 65 million years ago, at the start of the t ertiary period, our first ancestors appeared. It was the age of the mammals and much like in the Quaternary period, the temperature would vary from cold to warm. The first grass and huge mammals appeared in the Tertiary Period along with small insects, the Himalayas, and of course the start of humans! Even though you could say that humans rule the world, we have only been on this planet for about 100,000 years. Still, we have changed the earth so much in that little time and not necessarily for the better. Humans are the main cause of [|global warming]  which is causing the extinction of many animals. If we don't stop soon, life as we know it could change forever. But let's rewind a bit. It all started 1.8 million years ago... ===

__ Biotic __
=== The Quaternary period was unlike any other when it comes to the [|biotic life]. One thing that stays the same is that humans are the dominant species. They lead a pretty normal life style. They hunted for food and used the skin for shelter. They also traveled in groups forming family bonds...like we have today! But, homo sapiens only appeared about 100,000 years ago. Before that, animals like the wooly mammoth, giant ground sloths, giant beavers, teratorn birds with a 25 foot wingspan, and of course the sabertoothed cats ruled the earth. Although they are all now extinct, their legacy continues. Ever notice how mammoths look a lot like elephants or how saber toothed cats look very similar to tigers? That’s because they are distant relatives! While the animals thrived, the plants, not so much. Because so much of the Quaternary period was spent in the freezing cold, there wasn't much photosynthesis which is what allows plants to grow. Because of this, in this period only plants that didn't require much sunlight could grow such as evergreens. How do we know all of this information? Well, it has a lot to do with the helpful rocks, landforms, and fossils that were found. ===

__ Rocks and Landforms __
======

=== When you think about it, 1.8 million years ago, when the Quaternary period started wasn’t so long ago. Nevertheless, the fossils, rocks and landforms were so different. 90% of all animals became extinct so you can imagine all the fossils that were found. One fossil that was found was one of a tapir which lived about 14,000 years ago. Although tapirs aren’t extinct, an animal that is are mammoths. Thousands of animals, 30 mammoths included, were found fossilized in the [|la brea tar pits] not too long ago. Another fossil that was found was one of the glyptodont in p anama which lived about 13,000 years. By the Quaternary period the earth was very developed due to the abundance of glaciers which formed many of our landforms and left behind rocks. Because of this, rocks can be found all around the world! So, next time you’re walking on one of the Boston Harbor Islands or biking up a hill, just remember this; YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE QUATERNARY PERIOD! But, these fossils didn't just appear out of nowhere. They had a lot to do with the abiotic. ===

= = = = = = = = = = = = = Abiotic = = = === The abiotic on [|earth] in the Quaternary period was very different (although we are still in this period) compared to the abiotic today. While the temperature today continues to increase, most of the Quaternary period was spent in an ice age with small intervals of warmth in between. All of the frozen water caused the sea levels to become about 100 meters lower which allowed the continents to grow farther apart and appear as they are now. The series of ice ages caused many landforms to form such as long island, the land bridge between Alaska and Siberia, and cape cod concluding the transformation of Massachusetts. The Quaternary period was truly one to remember. ===

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