upper carboniferous

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upper carboniferous

A lush swamp forest teems with giant ferns and dragonflies during the Upper Carboniferous period.

Definition
  1. Proper noun:
    • A geologic period: The Upper Carboniferous is a subdivision of the Carboniferous period in the geologic timescale, occurring from approximately 310 million to 280 million years ago. It is characterized by a warm climate and extensive swampy land environments.
Usage
  • The term "Upper Carboniferous" is used primarily in scientific contexts, specifically in geology and paleontology, to refer to this specific interval of Earth's history.
  • It is often discussed in relation to the formation of coal deposits, the evolution of early reptiles and insects, and the paleogeography of the supercontinent Pangaea.
Examples
  • Proper noun:
    • The coal seams in this region were formed during the Upper Carboniferous.
    • Fossils of giant dragonflies are commonly found in Upper Carboniferous strata.
Advanced Usage
  • In formal stratigraphy, the Upper Carboniferous is approximately equivalent to the Pennsylvanian subperiod in the North American system.
  • The term is used to describe rock layers (systems), the time span (period), and the events that occurred during that time.
Variants and Related Words
  • Pennsylvanian (proper noun): The North American term for the geologic subperiod corresponding to the Upper Carboniferous.
  • Carboniferous (proper noun): The broader geologic period (359-299 million years ago) which contains the Upper Carboniferous as its later part.
  • Lower Carboniferous (proper noun): The earlier subdivision of the Carboniferous period, approximately equivalent to the Mississippian subperiod.
Synonyms
  • Late Carboniferous: A less common but synonymous term.
  • Pennsylvanian Period/Subperiod: The direct synonym in the North American stratigraphic system.
Related Phrases
  • Upper Carboniferous coal measures: Refers specifically to the coal-bearing rock formations from this period.
  • Upper Carboniferous flora/fauna: Describes the plant and animal life characteristic of this time.
upper carboniferous

A lush swamp forest teems with giant ferns and dragonflies during the Upper Carboniferous period.

Noun
  1. from 310 million to 280 million years ago; warm climate; swampy land