An extinction event, also known as a mass extinction, is a significant and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth, characterized by the widespread and abrupt disappearance of species across multiple taxonomic groups. These events are identified in the fossil record and are marked by the permanent loss of a large proportion of species within a relatively short period of geological time. Throughout Earth’s history, there have been five major mass extinctions, such as the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which eliminated about 90% of species, and the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which led to the demise of the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago. These events are typically driven by catastrophic changes in the environment, including volcanic eruptions, climate change, meteorite impacts, and changes in sea levels or atmospheric composition. Mass extinctions reshape life on Earth, clearing the way for new species to evolve and dominate. Current scientific research suggests that we may be entering a sixth mass extinction, driven by human activities like habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, which could have dire consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
New research shows that mercury pollution from volcanism caused prolonged ecological disturbances and plant stress for over a million years following the end-Triassic mass extinction….
New findings, including the discovery of Eoneophron infernalis, suggest that dinosaurs, particularly caenagnathids, were not declining in diversity before the asteroid impact, contradicting earlier theories…
McGill researchers challenge the current understanding of dinosaur extinction by unearthing a link between volcanic eruptions and climate change. What wiped out the dinosaurs? A…
Scientists have discovered a pivotal role of oceanic anoxia in the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction, indicating that even localized deoxygenation can lead to widespread ecosystem collapse….
Fine dust from pulverized rock generated by the Chicxulub impact likely played a dominant role in global climate cooling and the disruption of photosynthesis following…
A study predicts that the formation of a supercontinent, Pangea Ultima, 250 million years in the future could lead to extreme temperatures, threatening mammalian survival…
Contrary to previous beliefs, mammals that survived past mass extinctions weren’t always generalists; many had unique traits that aided their survival, prompting a…
A study predicts a mass extinction of mammals in 250 million years due to extreme heat from the formation of a supercontinent. The research highlights…
A Cretaceous origin for placental mammals, the group that includes humans, dogs, and bats, has been revealed by in-depth analysis of the fossil record, showing…
The Late Ordovician mass extinction event (LOME) has long been viewed as odd compared to other mass extinction events in Earth’s history. Contrary to nearly…
A recent study reveals intriguing insights into the catastrophic “Great Dying” extinction event 252 million years ago, focusing on the role of a tiger-sized, saber-toothed…
Volcanic eruptions millions of years apart wiped out much of life on Earth. Massive volcanic eruptions millions of years apart caused two mass extinctions during…
Scientists from China, Germany, and the UK led by Prof. LIU Feng from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of…
New discovery of sunscreen-like chemicals in fossil plants reveals UV radiation played a part in mass extinction events. New research has uncovered that pollen preserved…
Ancient mass extinction was preceded by a drop in a crucial trace element. According to a recent study from Florida State University, a major extinction…
Landmark study reveals that dinosaurs dominated the world right up until a deadly asteroid hit Earth, leading to their mass extinction, around 66 million years…
550-million-year-old creatures’ message to the present. Earth is currently in the midst of a mass extinction, losing thousands of species each year. New research suggests…
According to new research, ray-finned fish, now the most diverse group of backboned animals, were not as hard hit by a mass extinction event as…