mass extinction event
Widespread die-off moment
A mass extinction event is a period in Earth's history when a significant percentage of species die out in a geologically short time.
The most famous is the Cretaceous-Paleogene event that killed the dinosaurs.
Scientists recognize five major mass extinctions, with some arguing we're currently in a sixth, human-caused one.
The asteroid impact triggered a mass extinction event that reshaped life on Earth.
Late Paleozoic geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
- OrdovicianPaleozoic geological period
K-Pg boundary · iridium layer · fossil record · stratigraphy · geochronology · Paleozoic · Mesozoic · Cenozoic
Reduction in species variety
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces
- dead zoneArea lacking signal coverage
Study of ancient organisms
- paleobiologyStudy of ancient organisms
- taxonClassificatory group of organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
Changes caused by people
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- ocean acidificationSeawater pH dropping from CO2
overhunting · invasive species · pollution · endangered species · conservation
Permian
Late Paleozoic geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
Ordovician · K-Pg boundary · iridium layer · fossil record · stratigraphy · geochronology · Paleozoic · Mesozoic · Cenozoic · Big Five
biodiversity loss
Reduction in species variety
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces
- dead zoneArea lacking signal coverage
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- paleobiologyStudy of ancient organisms
- taxonClassificatory group of organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
human impact
Changes caused by people
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
ocean acidification · overhunting · invasive species · pollution · endangered species · conservation
mass extinction eventmicroevolution
Small hereditary changes within populations
masses, massive, massively, massiveness, massed, massing, extinct, extinction, extinctions