Era — Science definition
A division of geologic time within an eon — the Phanerozoic eon, for example, is split into the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras.
Where it is taught
- Geologic Time & the Rock Record — Earth’s History, Earth & Space Science, Grade 9
In use
And the Cenozoic, the age of mammals, is the era we are living in right now.
Geologic Time & the Rock Record
Questions using era
Problem 1
Which era/nickname pairing is correct?
- Mesozoic — age of reptiles
- Cenozoic — age of reptiles
- Paleozoic — age of mammals
- Precambrian — age of dinosaurs
Answer and explanation
Mesozoic — age of reptiles
The Mesozoic era is nicknamed 'the age of reptiles' because dinosaurs and other reptiles dominated it.