Jurassic etymology

Etymology

The term "Jurassic" is derived from the Latin word "Jurensis," which refers to the Jura Mountains, a mountain range located on the border between France and Switzerland.

Meaning

Jurassic refers to a specific geologic period within the Mesozoic Era, which lasted from approximately 201.3 million years ago to 145 million years ago. The Jurassic Period is often referred to as the "Age of Dinosaurs," as it was during this time that dinosaurs were the dominant species on Earth.

Origin

The term "Jurassic" was first introduced by Alexandre Brongniart, a French geologist and paleontologist, in 1829. Brongniart proposed dividing the Mesozoic Era into three periods based on the distinct fossils found in the rock layers of the Jura Mountains. He named these periods the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.

Key Characteristics of the Jurassic Period

• Dominance of dinosaurs: Dinosaurs, both herbivorous and carnivorous, flourished during the Jurassic Period. Some of the well-known dinosaurs from this time include the Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus.
• Coniferous forests: The Jurassic Period was characterized by vast coniferous forests, which provided food and shelter for dinosaurs and other animals.
• Marine life: The oceans were teeming with life during the Jurassic Period, including marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.
• Supercontinent: During the Jurassic Period, the continents were still in the process of separating from the supercontinent Pangea.
• Climatic conditions: The Jurassic Period experienced a warm and humid climate, with high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Jurassic relate terms

• cretaceous

  Etymology Latin creta chalk French crétacé chalky Meaning Relating to

• diplodocus

  Etymology Name Diplodocus Meaning Double beam Origin Greek words diploos double

• Mesozoic

  Etymology Mesozoic is a term derived from Ancient Greek meso μέσος meaning

• period

  Etymology The word period comes from the Middle English word periode which itself

• busy

  Etymology Middle English busye from Anglo Norman French busye ultimately from Old Fr

• swallow

  Etymology Old English swelgan to swallow Proto Germanic swalgan Proto Indo Europe

• robot

  Etymology The word robot comes from the Czech word robota which means forced labor

• reefer

  Etymology The term reefer has various etymological origins Spanish rifa meaning

• restroom

  Etymology The word restroom is a combination of two words Rest Derived from the Old

• kite

  Etymology The word kite comes from the Middle English word kite which itself is der