The Cenozoic Era covers the 66 million years since the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event up to and including the present day. By the end of the Mesozoic era, the continents had rifted into nearly their present form. Laurasia became North America and Eurasia, while Gondwana split into South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica and the Indian subcontinent, which collided with the Asian plate. This impact gave rise to the Himalayas. The Tethys Sea, which had separated the northern continents from Africa and India, began to close up, forming the Mediterranean sea. COUNT 5
QSN1 How many years long was the Cenozoic Era? ANS1 66 million years QSN2 Which extinction marked the beginning of the Cenozoic Era? ANS2 Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event QSN3 What geologic period are we in currently? ANS3 Cenozoic Era QSN4 At the end of which era had the continents taken roughly their current shape? ANS4 Mesozoic QSN5 The collision of the Indian sub continent and the Asian plate created which mountain range? ANS5 the Himalayas