mass extinction events
Widespread die-offs historically
Mass extinction events are periods in Earth's history when a significant proportion of species die out in a geologically brief span—typically more than 75% of species within a few million years or less.
Scientists recognize five major mass extinctions, including the one that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
The term appears in discussions of biodiversity loss: Some scientists argue we're entering a sixth mass extinction event.
Often shortened to mass extinctions.
Total civilizational collapse
- cataclysmViolent, large-scale disaster
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- disasterSudden ruinous event
collapse · wipeout · die-off · decimation · obliteration · doomsday · calamity · ecosystem collapse
Late Paleozoic geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- K-Pg boundaryGeological extinction horizon
- dinosaursExtinct prehistoric reptiles
fossils · geologic time · stratigraphy · sedimentary layers · Mesozoic · Cenozoic · Paleozoic · ammonites
Space rock collision event
- volcanismSubterranean magma expulsion process
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- ocean acidificationSeawater pH dropping from CO2
- sea level changeOceanic height variation
anoxia · Deccan Traps · supervolcano · glaciation · greenhouse gases · habitat destruction · ozone depletion
Reduction in species variety
- population collapseRapid severe decline in numbers
- extirpationComplete destruction or removal
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- refugiaIsolated survival zones
apocalypse
Total civilizational collapse
- cataclysmViolent, large-scale disaster
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
disaster · collapse · wipeout · die-off · decimation · obliteration · doomsday · calamity · ecosystem collapse · destruction
Permian
Late Paleozoic geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- K-Pg boundaryGeological extinction horizon
dinosaurs · fossils · geologic time · stratigraphy · sedimentary layers · Mesozoic · Cenozoic · Paleozoic · ammonites · trilobites
asteroid impact
Space rock collision event
- volcanismSubterranean magma expulsion process
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- ocean acidificationSeawater pH dropping from CO2
sea level change · anoxia · Deccan Traps · supervolcano · glaciation · greenhouse gases · habitat destruction · ozone depletion
biodiversity loss
Reduction in species variety
- population collapseRapid severe decline in numbers
- extirpationComplete destruction or removal
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
mass, masses, massive, massively, massiveness, massed, massing, extinct, extinction