Cretaceous
Period ranging from 145 million years ago until 66 million years ago.
The dinosaurs became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period almost certainly because of a large meteorite impact. Ammonites were flourishing during the Cretaceous, but they also became extinct. Mammals and flowering plants began developing.
| Period | Epoch
| Stage
| Age (in Milion years) *
| 
| Upper
| Maastrichtian
| 65,5 - 70,6
| Campanian
| 70,6 - 83,5
| Santonian
| 83,5 - 85,8
| Caniacian
| 85,8 - 89,3
| Turonian
| 89,3 - 93,5
| Cenomanian
| 93,5 - 99,6
| Lower
| Albian
| 99,6 - 112,0
| Aptian
| 112,0 - 125,0
| Barremian
| 125,0 - 130,0
| Hauterivian
| 130,0 - 136,4
| Valanginian
| 136,4 - 140,2
| Berriasian
| 140,2 - 145,5 |
* Age is rounded
Click here for locations from this period.
 Go to the Photo page to view photographs of fossils from the Cretaceous. |
