Definition

Proper noun 1. A geological epoch: The Pliocene Epoch is the period in Earth's geological history from approximately 5.333 million to 2.58 million years ago. It is the second and final epoch of the Neogene Period, following the Miocene and preceding the Pleistocene. The epoch is characterized by significant geological and climatic changes, including the continued uplift of major mountain ranges, a cooling global climate, and the evolution and diversification of modern mammals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Pliocene Epoch saw the spread of grasslands across many continents.
  • Many modern mammal genera first appeared during the Pliocene Epoch.
  • Scientists study fossils from the Pliocene Epoch to understand past climate change.

Advanced Usage

• "Late/Early Pliocene": Refers to the later or earlier parts of the Pliocene Epoch.
  • The Isthmus of Panama formed in the Late Pliocene.
• "Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary": Refers to the transition between the Pliocene and the following Pleistocene Epoch.
  • The extinction of many marine species marks the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary.

Variants and Related Words

• Pliocene (adj/noun): The adjectival form or a shortened, informal reference to the epoch.
  • Pliocene climate; fossils from the Pliocene.
• Neogene (proper noun): The geological period that contains the Miocene and Pliocene epochs.
• Pleistocene (proper noun): The geological epoch following the Pliocene, known as the Ice Age.

Synonyms

• Late Tertiary Period: An older, less precise term that sometimes encompasses the Pliocene.
• Age of Mammals (part of): A broad descriptive term for the Cenozoic Era, which includes the Pliocene.

Related Phrases

• Pliocene climate optimum: A period of relative warmth during the early Pliocene.
  • Researchers are interested in the Pliocene climate optimum as an analog for future warming.

Noun

1. from 13 million to 2 million years ago; growth of mountains; cooling of climate; more and larger mammals