The Early Jurassic period lasted from about 201 to 174 million years ago, following the Triassic and preceding the Middle Jurassic. This era is characterized by a warm climate and rising sea levels, which led to the formation of shallow seas. The continents began to drift apart, creating new coastlines and habitats for various life forms. During the Early Jurassic, dinosaurs became more diverse and abundant, with notable groups like the sauropods and theropods emerging. Marine life flourished as well, with the presence of ammonites and ichthyosaurs. This period set the stage for the dominance of dinosaurs in the later Jurassic.