Extinction event
Extinction event
An extinction event (also known as a mass extinction or biotic crisis) is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth. Such an event is identified by a sharp change in the diversity and abundance of multicellular organisms.
Pronunciation
- UK: /ɪkˈstɪŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n ɪˈvɛnt/
- US: /ɪkˈstɪŋ(k)ʃən ɪˈvɛnt/
Etymology
The term "extinction event" is derived from the Latin extinctio, meaning "extinguishing" or "putting out", and eventus, meaning "outcome" or "result".
Causes
Extinction events are generally caused by catastrophic alterations to the environment, such as volcanic eruptions, climate change, and asteroid impacts.
Notable extinction events
There have been several notable extinction events throughout Earth's history, including the Permian-Triassic extinction event, the Ordovician-Silurian extinction events, and the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Impact on biodiversity
Extinction events have a significant impact on biodiversity, leading to a rapid decrease in the variety of life on Earth. This can have long-term effects on the planet's ecosystems and the evolution of surviving species.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Extinction event
- Wikipedia's article - Extinction event
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