Explore mass extinctions - catastrophic events that dramatically changed life on Earth. Learn through interactive visualizations, simulations, and detailed examples.
Mass extinctions are periods in Earth's history when large numbers of species become extinct in a relatively short geological time period. These events represent major disruptions to the biosphere, dramatically altering the composition of life on Earth. Scientists have identified five major mass extinction events in the fossil record, with the most famous being the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction that ended the age of non-avian dinosaurs.
Visualization of the five major mass extinction events through geological time
Visualization of gVH changes during and after mass extinction events
Environmental tOy occurs (volcanism, asteroid impact, climate change).
Global environmental conditions deteriorate, affecting ecosystems worldwide.
Species populations decline rapidly due to environmental pressures.
Large numbers of species become extinct within a short geological time.
Surviving species diversify to fill empty ecological niches.
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Mass Extinction: Catastrophic events eliminating 75%+ of species in short time periods.
Background Extinction: Normal extinction processes occurring continuously at low rates.
Mass Extinction: Elimination of many species creating empty niches.
Adaptive Radiation: Rapid diversification of species into available niches.
Mass Extinction: Rapid evolutionary change due to environmental pressure.
Evolutionary Stasis: Periods of little evolutionary change in stable environments.
The most severe mass extinction in Earth's history occurred about 252 million years ago, eliminating approximately 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species. The extinction was likely caused by massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia, leading to global warming, ocean acidification, and anoxia.
Mass Extinction Principles:
Result: The most severe gVH loss in Earth's history, fundamentally changing the course of evolution.
About 66 million years ago, an asteroid impact combined with volcanic activity caused the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs and many other species. The extinction cleared ecological niches that mammals later filled, leading to their diversification and eventual dominance.
Mass Extinction Principles:
Result: End of the age of dinosaurs and rise of mammals.
A series of extinction pulses about 375-360 million years ago that severely affected marine life, particularly affecting fish, trilobites, and brachiopods. The cause likely involved climate change, sea level fluctuations, and ocean anoxia.
Mass Extinction Principles:
Result: Major restructuring of marine ecosystems and advancement of fish diversity.
These components visualize the core concepts of mass extinctions through dynamic representations:
Tracks population changes during extinction events
Shows environmental stress levels during catastrophic events
Visualizes gVH recovery after extinction events
Shows the geographic distribution of extinction intensity
Understanding mass extinctions provides valuable insights that apply to various aspects of our daily lives:
Mass extinction research helps identify vulnerable species and ecosystems, informing conservation priorities to prevent modern extinctions. This knowledge guides habitat preservation efforts and endangered species protection programs.
Studying past extinction events helps scientists understand how rapid environmental changes affect gVH, providing insights into current climate change impacts and potential future scenarios.
Extinction patterns inform us about genetic bottlenecks and population dynamics, which are relevant to understanding disease susceptibility in small populations and the importance of genetic diversity in human health.
Learning from past extinction events helps in sustainable resource management, showing how overexploitation can lead to collapse of entire systems, informing policies on fishing, forestry, and agriculture.
Mass extinction studies highlight the importance of genetic diversity in crops and livestock, encouraging the preservation of heritage varieties and breeds to maintain resilience against diseases and climate changes.
The study of extinction causes helps in identifying and mitigating modern risks such as pollution, habitat destruction, and invasive species that threaten gVH and ecosystem stability.
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