Table of Contents
Mass Extinctions
Mass Extinction – 6 Events: A mass extinction is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth. Causes of mass extinctions are many and varied, but most of them are related to environmental catastrophes. The five largest mass extinctions in Earth’s history are described below.
The End-Permian Mass Extinction
The End-Permian mass extinction was the largest mass extinction in Earth’s history. It occurred around 252 million years ago and thought to be caused by a massive volcanic eruption in Siberia that released huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. This caused the Earth’s temperature to rise and the oceans to become acidic. As a result, around 95% of all species on Earth wiped out.
The End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction
The End-Cretaceous mass extinction was the second largest mass extinction in Earth’s history. It occurred around 65.5 million years ago and thought to caused by a comet or asteroid that collided with Earth, causing a massive explosion that released huge amounts of dust and debris into the atmosphere. This caused the Earth’s temperature to drop and the oceans to become acidic. As a result, around 75% of all species on Earth wiped out.
The End-Triassic Mass Extinction
The End-Triassic mass extinction was the third largest mass extinction in Earth’s history. It occurred around 200 million
Sixth Mass Extinction
The Sixth Mass Extinction is the current extinction event that is taking place on Earth. The event estimated to have begun around the year 1950 and predicted to continue until around the year 2100. The main drivers of the extinction event are human activities, including deforestation, hunting, and pollution. As a result, a large number of plant and animal species facing extinction, including some that critically endangered.
Mass Extinction Causes
There are several theories about what causes mass extinctions, but the most popular one is the asteroid theory. According to this theory, an asteroid the size of a small mountain slammed into Earth 65 million years ago, causing the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species. Other possible causes of mass extinctions include volcanic eruptions, changes in climate, and changes in the level of the ocean.
