cenozoic

1. (geology) A geologic era within the Phanerozoic eon comprising the Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary periods from about 65 million years ago to the present, when the continents moved to their current position and modern plants and animals evolved.Examples: "The whole history of the earth is divided into five eras, with corresponding rock-systems. These are: 1. Archæan or Eozoic¹ era, embodied in the Laurentian system; 2. Palæozoic² era, embodied in the Palæozoic or Primary system; 3. Mesozoic³ era, recorded in the Secondary system; 4. Cenozoic,⁴ recorded in the Tertiary and Quaternary systems; and, 5. The Psychozoic era, or era of Mind, recorded in the recent system."; "The researchers found that the first day of the Cenozoic was peppered with cataclysms. When the asteroid struck, it temporarily carved a hole 60 miles across and 20 miles deep."