Quaternary (Noun)
Meaning 1
Last 2 million years.
Classification
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations.
Examples
- The Quaternary period, spanning from approximately 2.58 million years ago to the present, is the most recent geologic time period.
- Glaciers and ice sheets formed repeatedly during the Quaternary, greatly influencing the Earth's climate and geology.
- Human evolution, from Homo habilis to Homo sapiens, occurred primarily during the Quaternary period.
- Faunal changes during the Quaternary have been largely driven by repeated glacial cycles and significant fluctuations in sea levels.
- Sedimentary rocks formed during the Quaternary contain numerous fossils and sedimentary structures that help scientists reconstruct past environmental conditions.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
The cardinal number that is the sum of three and one.
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.