Mass Global Extinction Phase

A Mass Global Extinction Phase is a Earth phase where Earth's biodiversity is dramatically reduced.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) result from various factors, including changes in climatic conditions, sea levels, asteroid impacts, volcanic eruptions, and the evolution of new species.
  • It can (often) involve the complete eradication of certain species, leading to significant shifts in the composition of ecosystems.
  • It can (typically) be followed by periods of radiation, where the number of species diversifies rapidly.
  • It encompasses both shorter-term Mass Extinction Events and longer-term Mass Extinction Periods.
  • …
• Example(s):
  • Mass Extinction Events, such as:
    • a Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Event (~66 Mya.), which led to the extinction of Non-Avian Dinosaurs.
    • a Triassic-Jurassic Extinction Event (~182 Mya), that led to the dominance of the dinosaurs in the Jurassic period.
    • a Permian-Triassic Extinction Event (~252 Ma), which eradicated ~96% of all marine species and ~70% of terrestrial vertebrate species.
    • a Ordovician–Silurian Extinction Event (~443 Mya), where almost 60% of marine life was wiped out.
  • Mass Extinction Periods, such as:
    • a Great Oxygenation Period (~2.4 Bya.), an extinction period and transition event commenced by the appearance of photosynthesizing life forms.
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Local Extinctions that do not significantly affect global biodiversity.
  • Background Extinction, which is measured by a Background Extinction Rate.
  • Life Explosion Period, such as the Cambrian life explosion period.
  • Evolution of a new species, which typically increases biodiversity rather than decreasing it.
  • …
• See: Mass Extinction Event, Mass Extinction Period, Extinction Event, Paleontology, Geologic Time Scale, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Geological Period, Speciation, Biomass (Ecology), Microbial, Biosphere, Fossil Record, Alpha Taxonomy, Family (Biology), Invertebrate, Vertebrate.

---

---

---