The Triassic Period: Recovery and Diversity After the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event

The Triassic is a geologic period that began about 252 million years ago, after the Permian-Triassic extinction event, and ended about 200 million years ago. It is the first period of the Mesozoic Era, which is also known as the Age of Reptiles. During this time, the continents were still moving together to form the supercontinent of Pangaea, and the climate was generally warm and humid.
The Triassic is characterized by the recovery of life on Earth after the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which wiped out more than 90% of all species on the planet. During this period, new groups of animals evolved, including the first dinosaurs, crocodiles, and mammals. The oceans were home to many marine reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, while the skies were dominated by pterosaurs.
The Triassic period ended with another mass extinction event, which marked the beginning of the Jurassic period.