https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MkmRzsiWHU
How much time passed between the extinction of the dinosaurs and the emergence of humans? Answer
The gap of 65 million years between the extinction of the dinosaurs and the emergence of humans is a vast expanse of time that has seen dramatic shifts in Earth’s ecosystems, climate, and life forms. This period began with one of the most significant events in our planet’s history: the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, which wiped out about 75% of all species on Earth, including all non-avian dinosaurs. This mass extinction is widely believed to have been caused by a colossal asteroid impact, which created a massive crater in what is now the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.
The immediate aftermath of the extinction event was a dark and hostile environment, with debris blocking sunlight and causing a dramatic cooling of the Earth’s surface. This “nuclear winter” scenario led to the collapse of many ecosystems and set the stage for a new era of life on Earth. As the planet gradually recovered, the surviving species began to diversify and adapt to the changing conditions, giving rise to new forms of life.
The Cenozoic Era, often called the “Age of Mammals,” began after the extinction of the dinosaurs. With the dominant reptiles gone, mammals, which had been small and largely nocturnal during the age of dinosaurs, started to evolve and fill the ecological niches left vacant. This period saw the emergence of many new mammalian species, ranging from small rodents to large herbivores and predators. The warm climate of the early Cenozoic allowed for the spread of lush forests and the rise of diverse ecosystems.
As the Earth continued to change, the Miocene Epoch, beginning around 23 million years ago, marked a significant period for the evolution of primates. This epoch saw the diversification of the great apes, including the ancestors of humans. By the end of the Miocene, the first hominins appeared, laying the groundwork for the evolutionary lineage that would eventually lead to Homo sapiens.
The Pliocene Epoch, spanning from about 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago, was a crucial time for human evolution. During this period, early hominins such as Australopithecus began to walk upright and use simple tools. These early ancestors of humans displayed significant adaptations that would pave the way for more advanced species.