Which era began after the Permian extinction?

Which era began after the Permian extinction?

• A. Paleozoic.
• B. Mesozoic.
• C. Cenozoic.
• D. Precambrian.

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is understanding how major mass extinctions mark transitions between geologic eras. The Permian extinction, about 252 million years ago, ended the Paleozoic Era. When such a large fraction of species disappeared, it opened ecological niches for new groups to diversify, signaling the start of the next era—the Mesozoic Era, the time of dinosaurs and early mammals. So, after the Permian extinction, the era that begins is the Mesozoic. For context, the Precambrian is earlier than the Paleozoic, and the Cenozoic comes after the Mesozoic.

The key idea here is understanding how major mass extinctions mark transitions between geologic eras. The Permian extinction, about 252 million years ago, ended the Paleozoic Era. When such a large fraction of species disappeared, it opened ecological niches for new groups to diversify, signaling the start of the next era—the Mesozoic Era, the time of dinosaurs and early mammals. So, after the Permian extinction, the era that begins is the Mesozoic. For context, the Precambrian is earlier than the Paleozoic, and the Cenozoic comes after the Mesozoic.