LS Unit 5 L2.2 Exploration Questions

Front

What natural events can cause mass extinctions?

Back

Volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts.

Front

What evidence did scientists find in rock layers from the K–Pg mass extinction?

Back

Unusual amounts of iridium and glass formations.

Front

What does the fossil record show about species over time?

Back

Changes in species and extinctions.

Front

What is indicated when a species is no longer found in sedimentary rock layers?

Back

The species has become extinct.

Front

What is a mass extinction?

Back

When whole groups of related species die out.

Front

What role do volcanic eruptions play in mass extinctions?

Back

They can release ash and gases that alter climate and ecosystems.

Front

How can asteroid impacts lead to mass extinctions?

Back

They can cause massive fires, tsunamis, and climate changes.

Front

What is iridium and why is it significant in studying mass extinctions?

Back

Iridium is rare on Earth but common in asteroids; its presence indicates an impact event.

Front

What are sedimentary rock layers?

Back

Layers of rock formed by the accumulation of sediment, often containing fossils.

Front

How do fossils help scientists understand past life on Earth?

Back

Fossils provide evidence of what species existed and how they changed over time.