What major climatic change affected the Mesozoic Era?

The Mesozoic Era, which spanned from about 252 to 66 million years ago, is characterized by a significant increase in global temperatures, making the choice of increased global temperatures the most accurate response. During this era, the Earth witnessed a greenhouse climate, where warmer temperatures supported the flourishing of diverse ecosystems, particularly the dominance of dinosaurs and the development of marine life in the oceans.

The warm climate of the Mesozoic is associated with high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which contributed to the extensive growth of coniferous forests and the widespread occurrence of reptiles. This period saw little to no polar ice, as the temperatures were markedly higher than in both preceding and subsequent geological periods.

In contrast, the other options involve climatic changes that do not accurately describe the Mesozoic. For instance, global cooling and the formation of ice ages are more aligned with later periods, such as the Cenozoic Era, which followed the Mesozoic and marked significant shifts toward cooler climates. Regular monsoon patterns do not accurately reflect the overall climatic conditions of the Mesozoic, which were more dominated by stable warmth rather than seasonal monsoonal variability. Thus, the increase in global temperatures best captures the essence of