Barremian is a term used in geology to refer to a stage in the early Cretaceous period, which occurred between 129.4 and 125 million years ago. The term is derived from the town of Barrême in southeastern France, where the rocks of this age were first studied and identified. In this article, we will explore the definition, meaning, and associations of Barremian.
Definitions
The Barremian stage is defined as the time interval between the base of the Bedoulian stage and the top of the Urgonian stage. It is characterized by the appearance of several ammonite and planktonic foraminifera species, as well as the diversification of bony fish, turtles, and crocodiles.
Origin
The term Barremian was first introduced by the French geologist Alcide d’Orbigny in 1842, based on the study of the rocks in the Barrême area. The Barremian stage was later defined and refined by other geologists, based on the analysis of sedimentary sequences and fossil records from different parts of the world.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In geological terms, Barremian refers to a specific stage in the Cretaceous period, characterized by distinct rock formations and fossil assemblages. In general language, the term Barremian is not commonly used or recognized, and may not be found in standard dictionaries.
Associations
The Barremian stage is associated with the early evolution of many marine and terrestrial organisms, including the emergence of angiosperms (flowering plants) and the radiation of dinosaurs. It is also associated with significant changes in the Earth’s climate, including the onset of greenhouse conditions and the formation of large-scale oceanic anoxic events.
Synonyms
As a technical term in geology, Barremian does not have any commonly used synonyms. However, it may be referred to as the Barremian age, Barremian epoch, or Barremian period in some contexts.
Antonyms
As a specific stage in the geological time scale, Barremian does not have any direct antonyms. However, it can be contrasted with other stages in the Cretaceous period, such as the Aptian, Albian, and Cenomanian.
The same root words
The term Barremian is derived from the name of the town of Barrême in southeastern France, where the rocks of this age were first studied and identified. The root word “Barrême” is of uncertain origin, but may be related to the Latin word “barra” (a barrier or obstacle).
Example Sentences
- The Barremian stage is characterized by the appearance of several new species of ammonites and foraminifera.
- The Barremian rocks in the Barrême area contain abundant fossil remains of marine reptiles and bony fish.
- The onset of greenhouse conditions during the Barremian period had a significant impact on the Earth’s climate and biota.
Barremian is a technical term used in geology to refer to a specific stage in the early Cretaceous period, characterized by distinct rock formations and fossil assemblages. The term is derived from the name of the town of Barrême in southeastern France, where the rocks of this age were first studied and identified. While not commonly used in general language, the Barremian stage is associated with significant changes in the Earth’s climate and the emergence of many important plant and animal groups.