Africa separated from Antarctica in the Jurassic, around 160 Ma, followed by the Indian subcontinent in the early Cretaceous (about 125 Ma). By the end of the Cretaceous, about 66 Ma, Antarctica (then connected to Australia) still had a subtropical climate and flora, complete with a marsupial fauna. In the Eocene epoch, about 40 Ma Australia-New Guinea separated from Antarctica, so that latitudinal currents could isolate Antarctica from Australia, and the first ice began to appear. During the Eocene–Oligocene extinction event about 34 million years ago, CO2 levels have been found to be about 760 ppm and had been decreasing from earlier levels in the thousands of ppm. COUNT 5
QSN1 In what period did Africa beak off from Antarctica? ANS1 Jurassic QSN2 When was Antarctica still joined to Australia? ANS2 end of the Cretaceous QSN3 What type of climate did Antarctica have in the Cretaceous period? ANS3 subtropical QSN4 When did Australia separate from Antarctica? ANS4 Eocene epoch QSN5 After the division from Australia, what began to appear? ANS5 ice