The Miocene is a geologic epoch of the Neogene Period, spanning approximately 23.03 to 5.33 million years ago, characterized by significant tectonic, climatic, and biotic transitions. It saw continued fragmentation of continents and uplift of major mountain ranges, which altered atmospheric circulation and drove long-term global cooling and aridification trends. The Miocene witnessed expansion and diversification of grasslands and associated mammalian faunas, alongside important evolutionary radiations in marine and terrestrial lineages. It also encompasses major developments in ocean circulation patterns, including changes in thermohaline structure that influenced carbon cycling, contributing to the establishment of more modern-style climatic and ecological regimes.
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