What was Earth Like During the Eocene Epoch?
The Eocene epoch, from 55.8 to 33.9 million years ago, began about 10 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs, when mammals were diversifying and had already risen to some prominence, occupying most available niches. As was the case throughout most of the Earth’s history, climate during the Eocene was relatively balmy, with tropical conditions extending up to 45 degrees from the equator, and a temperate climate extending to the poles. During the Eocene, the climate at the poles would have been comparable to that of the Pacific Northwest. The continental arrangement during the Eocene was similar to that of today’s, except Antarctica was still connected to South America and large parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia were flooded. This is due to the near-absence of continental ice caps at the poles, meaning all that ice was in water form, filling up the oceans. Because Antarctica was still connected to South America, there was no frigid circumpolar current. Ant
