Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The Miocene Epoch: A specific geological time period within the Neogene Period, spanning from approximately 23 to 5.3 million years ago (though definitions vary; commonly cited as 25 to 13 million years ago). It is characterized by significant evolution and diversification of mammals, particularly the emergence and spread of modern grazing mammals.

Usage

• The term "Miocene Epoch" is used as a proper noun to refer to this specific segment of geologic time. It is typically capitalized.
• It is used in scientific contexts such as geology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology to discuss events, climate, fossil records, and evolutionary developments that occurred during this period.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Fossils from the Miocene Epoch show the first widespread appearance of grasslands.
  • Many modern mammal families originated during the Miocene Epoch.
  • The climate cooled significantly throughout the Miocene Epoch.

Advanced Usage

• "Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum": A period of global warming during the early to middle Miocene.
  • The Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum led to the expansion of tropical forests.
• "Miocene-Pliocene boundary": The transition point between the Miocene and the subsequent Pliocene Epoch.
  • The Miocene-Pliocene boundary is marked by further cooling and drying.

Variants and Related Words

• Miocene (adj/noun): The adjectival form or a shorter, common reference to the epoch.
  • Miocene deposits are rich in fossil mammals.
• Neogene (proper noun): The geologic period that contains the Miocene and Pliocene Epochs.
• Geologic time scale: The framework within which the Miocene Epoch is defined.

Synonyms

• Miocene Period (less common but occasionally used synonymously with Miocene Epoch).

Related Phrases

• "Age of Mammals": An informal name for the Cenozoic Era, which includes the Miocene Epoch.
• "Hominoid radiation": Refers to the diversification of apes (hominoidea) that occurred during the Miocene.

Noun

1. from 25 million to 13 million years ago; appearance of grazing mammals