neozoic
Definition
Neozoic is an adjective used in geology to describe the most recent era of geological time, corresponding to the Cenozoic Era, which began about 66 million years ago and continues to the present day. It refers to the period characterized by the dominance of mammals, birds, and flowering plants.
Usage Examples
- (Describing the geological era after the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs.)
- (Referring to geological deposits from the last 66 million years.)
Advanced Usage
"Neozoic deposits": sedimentary rocks or fossils from the Cenozoic Era.
- The neozoic deposits in this region contain abundant fossils of early horses and primates. (Sediments from the last 66 million years.)
"Neozoic period": often used synonymously with the Cenozoic Era in older geological texts.
- The neozoic period witnessed the formation of the Himalayas. (A major mountain-building event occurred during this time.)
Variants and Related Words
Cenozoic (adj/n): a more common term for the same era; "neozoic" is an older or less frequent synonym.
- The Cenozoic Era is divided into the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary periods. (A standard geological division.)
Mesozoic (adj): the era preceding the Neozoic, known as the "Age of Reptiles" (252 to 66 million years ago).
- Dinosaurs dominated the Mesozoic Era. (The era before the Neozoic.)
Paleozoic (adj): the era before the Mesozoic (541 to 252 million years ago).
- The Paleozoic Era saw the first land plants and amphibians. (An earlier geological era.)
Synonyms
- Cenozoic: the standard modern term for the same geological era.
- Recent: in a broad sense, but "recent" usually refers to the Quaternary Period within the Cenozoic.
Related Idioms
- No common idioms are associated with "neozoic," as it is a specialized scientific term.