Earth's Extinction Events

A Timeline of Life's Greatest Disasters

Introduction

Earth's history is marked by a series of devastating extinction events that have wiped out a significant portion of the planet's life.

These events have had a profound impact on the evolution of life, driving the rise and fall of species and shaping the planet's ecosystems.

Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (444 million years ago)

This extinction event is believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including a decrease in oxygen levels in the oceans, climate change, and volcanic eruptions.

Around 85% of marine species were wiped out, including many brachiopods, trilobites, and corals.

Devonian Extinction (375 million years ago)

The Devonian Extinction is thought to have been caused by a global cooling event that led to a decrease in sea levels and the loss of shallow-water habitats.

Around 75% of marine species were wiped out, including many fish and placoderms.

Permian-Triassic Extinction (252 million years ago)

The Permian-Triassic Extinction is the most severe extinction event in Earth's history, wiping out an estimated 96% of all marine species and 70% of terrestrial species.

The cause of this extinction is still debated, but likely involved a combination of factors, including volcanic eruptions, global warming, and ocean acidification.

Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (201 million years ago)

The Triassic-Jurassic Extinction is believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including volcanic eruptions and climate change.

Around 76% of marine species and 34% of terrestrial species were wiped out, including many dinosaurs and synapsids.

Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (66 million years ago)

The Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction is perhaps the most famous extinction event, as it is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs and many other species.

The cause of this extinction is generally accepted to be the impact of a large asteroid or comet into the Gulf of Mexico.

Conclusion

The Earth's extinction events are a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving our planet's ecosystems.

By understanding these events, we can better appreciate the resilience of life and the importance of protecting our planet for future generations.