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Question
The ___________mass extinction is anthropogenic.
The ___________mass extinction is anthropogenic.
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Solution
The correct option is C sixth
Extinction of a species refers to complete disappearance of all members of a species from every part of the planet. Since the origin and diversification of life on earth, there have been 5 episodes of mass extinctions that the world has witnessed and the sixth one is in progress. Mass extinctions completely wipe away existing species on the planet in a very short period of time.
The six mass extinctions include:
- 1st mass extinction (Ordovician-Silurian Extinction) - around 440 million years ago that led to the extinction of many small marine creatures. Around 85% of all species became extinct.
- 2nd or the Late Devonian extinction that occurred around 365 million years ago. About 75% of all species became extinct and this extinction wiped away most of the marine invertebrates.
- 3rd or the Permian-Triassic extinction which occurred around 250 million years ago. Around 96% of all species became extinct and most vertebrate species were wiped off the surface of earth.
- 4th or the Triassic-Jurassic extinction occurred around 200 million years ago. Around 80% of all species became extinct.
- 5th or the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. The extinction of all species of dinosaurs was a part of the 5th mass extinction. It is believed to be caused by a massive asteroid hit which would have ejected massive amounts of debris, leading to global temperature drop, acid rains, tsunamis, fires, etc. The effect was the extinction of all dinosaurs and around 76% of all species on earth.
- The sixth mass extinction started 11,700 years ago and it is still in progress. The sixth mass extinction is anthropogenic (due to human activities). The variety of diverse species are declining or becoming extinct due to pollution, introduction of exotic species, settlements, hunting, over-exploitation and habitat destruction. The current species extinction rate is 1000 times faster than the earlier extinction rate because of human impact on the environment. Ecologists have warned that if the same trend continues then nearly half of all the species on earth might be wiped off within the next 100 years.
Therefore, the sixth mass extinction is anthropogenic.
Extinction of a species refers to complete disappearance of all members of a species from every part of the planet. Since the origin and diversification of life on earth, there have been 5 episodes of mass extinctions that the world has witnessed and the sixth one is in progress. Mass extinctions completely wipe away existing species on the planet in a very short period of time.
The six mass extinctions include:
- 1st mass extinction (Ordovician-Silurian Extinction) - around 440 million years ago that led to the extinction of many small marine creatures. Around 85% of all species became extinct.
- 2nd or the Late Devonian extinction that occurred around 365 million years ago. About 75% of all species became extinct and this extinction wiped away most of the marine invertebrates.
- 3rd or the Permian-Triassic extinction which occurred around 250 million years ago. Around 96% of all species became extinct and most vertebrate species were wiped off the surface of earth.
- 4th or the Triassic-Jurassic extinction occurred around 200 million years ago. Around 80% of all species became extinct.
- 5th or the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. The extinction of all species of dinosaurs was a part of the 5th mass extinction. It is believed to be caused by a massive asteroid hit which would have ejected massive amounts of debris, leading to global temperature drop, acid rains, tsunamis, fires, etc. The effect was the extinction of all dinosaurs and around 76% of all species on earth.
- The sixth mass extinction started 11,700 years ago and it is still in progress. The sixth mass extinction is anthropogenic (due to human activities). The variety of diverse species are declining or becoming extinct due to pollution, introduction of exotic species, settlements, hunting, over-exploitation and habitat destruction. The current species extinction rate is 1000 times faster than the earlier extinction rate because of human impact on the environment. Ecologists have warned that if the same trend continues then nearly half of all the species on earth might be wiped off within the next 100 years.
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