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chapter 11
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| eon | largest units of geologic time |
| eras | eras are subdivided into periods |
| periods | periods are subdivided into epochs |
| epochs | a division of time that is a subdivision of a period and is itself subdivided into ages, corresponding to a series in chronostratigraphy |
| mass extinction | the extinction of many species on earth within a short period of time |
| land bridge | connects two continents that were previously separated |
| geographic isolation | the separation of a population of organisms from the rest of its species due to some physical barrier such as a mountain range or an ocean |
| Paleozoic era | oldest era of the phanerozoic eon |
| mesozoic era | middle era of the phanerozoic eon |
| cenozoic era | youngest era of the phanerozoic eon |
| inland sea | body of water formed when ocean water floods continents |
| coal swamp | oxygen poor environment where over time plant material changes into coal |
| superconinent | an ancient landmass which separated into present day continents |
| dinosaurs | dominant mesozoic land vertebrates that walked with legs positioned directly below their hips |
| plesiosaurs |