Extinction Events Flashcard 8th Grade

Front

What is a mass extinction event?

Back

A mass extinction event is a period in Earth's history when a significant percentage of all life forms become extinct in a relatively short time due to catastrophic events or environmental changes.

Front

What percentage of species were lost during the Great Dying event?

Back

Approximately 95% of species were lost during the Great Dying event, making it the most severe mass extinction in Earth's history.

Front

Which organism survived the Great Dying and became the ancestor of dinosaurs and mammals?

Back

Lystrosaurus.

Front

What caused the late Devonian mass extinction?

Back

The late Devonian mass extinction is thought to have caused ocean dead zones due to decreased oxygen levels in the water.

Front

What was the main cause of the first recognized mass extinction at the end of the Ordovician period?

Back

A massive Ice Age.

Front

How many major extinction events have occurred in Earth's history?

Back

Five major extinction events.

Front

What are trilobites?

Back

Trilobites are an extinct group of marine arthropods that thrived in the Paleozoic era and are known for their distinctive three-lobed body structure.

Front

What is the significance of the Permian-Triassic extinction event?

Back

The Permian-Triassic extinction event, also known as the Great Dying, is significant because it led to the loss of 95% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species.

Front

What role did volcanic eruptions play in mass extinctions?

Back

Volcanic eruptions can lead to mass extinctions by releasing large amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere, causing climate change and habitat destruction.

Front

What are ocean dead zones?

Back

Ocean dead zones are areas in the ocean where oxygen levels are so low that marine life cannot survive, often caused by nutrient pollution and algal blooms.