Jurassic Period

Spanning from 201.3 to 145 million years ago, the Jurassic followed the Triassic Period as the middle chapter of the Mesozoic Era. While the previous era was defined by harsh deserts and recovery, the Jurassic was a time of relative stability and a spectacular flourishing of life.

1. A World in Motion

During this time, the supercontinent Pangea continued to break apart. This slow continental drift was a powerful engine for change:

• New Oceans: The shifting landmasses gave rise to the familiar continents we recognise today.

• Ecosystem Diversity: This movement fuelled the creation of new oceanic environments and diverse ecosystems across the globe.

2. Giants of Land, Sea, and Air

The Jurassic is world-renowned for its incredible diversity of dinosaurs.

• On Land: Magnificent creatures evolved into all shapes and sizes, from the colossal Brachiosaurus towering over the forest canopy to swift packs of Velociraptors.

• In the Oceans: Marine reptiles like the iconic plesiosaurs ruled the seas.

• In the Skies: Pterosaurs soared through the air on leathery wings.

3. The Local Connection: The Sidmouth Mudstone

In our local geology, the Jurassic period is represented by the Mercia (or Sidmouth) Mudstone.

• Formation: This sequence of red mudstones and siltstones was deposited in a shallow marine environment.

• Marine Life: These rocks hold fossils of marine invertebrates, such as ammonites and belemnites, providing a window into the ancient seas that once covered Sidmouth.

4. A Tropical Paradise

The Jurassic climate was warm and humid. Vast forests of ferns, cycads, and conifers provided a lush habitat.

• Coastal Life: Mangrove swamps and lagoons teemed with life.

• The Food Web: This abundance of plant life supported massive herbivores, which in turn supported the carnivores that preyed upon them, creating a vibrant and complex tapestry of life.