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Concept information

geological parameter > stratigraphic limit > Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary

Preferred term

Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary  

Definition

  • The Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary, formerly known as the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) boundary, is a geological signature, usually a thin band of rock containing much more iridium than other bands. The K–Pg boundary marks the end of the Cretaceous Period, the last period of the Mesozoic Era, and marks the beginning of the Paleogene Period, the first period of the Cenozoic Era. Its age is usually estimated at 66 million years, with radiometric dating yielding a more precise age of 66.043 ± 0.011 Ma. The K–Pg boundary is associated with the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, a mass extinction which destroyed a majority of the world's Mesozoic species, including all dinosaurs except for birds. Strong evidence exists that the extinction coincided with a large meteorite impact at the Chicxulub crater and the generally accepted scientific theory is that this impact triggered the extinction event. The word "Cretaceous" is derived from the Latin "creta" (chalk). It is abbreviated K (as in "K–Pg boundary") for its German translation "Kreide" (chalk). (Adapted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous%E2%80%93Paleogene_boundary)

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • Cretaceous Palaeogene
  • Cretaceous-Palaeogene
  • Cretaceous Palaeogene boundary
  • Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary
  • Cretaceous Palaeogene limit
  • Cretaceous-Palaeogene limit
  • Cretaceous Paleogene
  • Cretaceous-Paleogene
  • Cretaceous Paleogene boundary
  • Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary
  • Cretaceous Paleogene limit
  • Cretaceous-Paleogene limit
  • K-T boundary
  • KT boundary

In other languages

  • French

  • Crétacé-Paléogène
  • limite Crétacé Paléogène
  • limite Crétacé Tertiaire
  • limite Crétacé-Paléogène
  • limite K-Pg
  • limite K-T
  • limite KT

URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/QX8-BGSMXGBF-N

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