235 million years
or 57 meters to today
Geological era: Mesozoic / Triassic
Some of the amphibians are developing into reptiles better adapted to life on the land. These include early dinosaurs. Massive volcanic eruptions caused the fifth mass extinction 200 million years ago. This catastrophe claimed 50% of all aquatic organisms and 30% of land-living organisms. As a result, dinosaurs conquer the planet.
The illustration shows a Tyrannosaurus rex attacking a Triceratops.
The climate is hot and dry. Deserts and arid plains characterize the centre of the supercontinent Pangaea, to the north and south there are extensive forest areas. The poles are ice-free. At the end of the Triassic, Pangaea begins to break apart.