Final answer:
The maximum rise in sea level by about 350 meters took place near the end of the Paleocene, around 56 million years ago, likely due to the massive release of carbon dioxide during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum which caused a significant global temperature increase.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum rise of sea level by about 350 meters above the present sea level occurred near the end of the Paleocene Epoch. This epoch is part of the Tertiary Period and followed the Cretaceous Period. Understanding the history of sea level change is essential as it shapes our planet's geography and has a direct impact on biodiversity and the climate.
The end of the Paleocene (around 56 million years ago) was marked by the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), which saw a short, 200,000-year period where massive amounts of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere, resulting in a global temperature increase by 5-8 C. This likely contributed to the high sea levels during this time.
Different factors have contributed to sea level change throughout earth's history, such as tectonic movements, glaciations, and asteroid impacts. Notably, during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, there was a sharp spike in temperatures that corresponded with one of the highest sea levels in the geological past.