Overview
The geology of mass extinction events reveals critical insights into Earth's history and the factors that have shaped life. These events, characterized by rapid biodiversity loss, are often linked to geological phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts. Understanding these events hel...
Key Terms
Example: The dinosaurs' extinction is a well-known mass extinction event.
Example: Fossil records show the existence of species that are now extinct.
Example: Sedimentary layers help date mass extinction events.
Example: Massive volcanic eruptions contributed to the Permian-Triassic extinction.
Example: The asteroid impact is believed to have caused the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.
Example: High biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability.
Related Topics
Paleoclimate
Study of past climates and their impact on life and extinction events.
intermediateEvolutionary Biology
Explores how species evolve and adapt, especially after mass extinctions.
advancedConservation Biology
Focuses on protecting biodiversity and preventing current extinction crises.
intermediateGeological Time Scale
A timeline of Earth's history, including major extinction events.
intermediateKey Concepts
mass extinctiongeological evidencecauses of extinctionimpact on biodiversity