Five major events, including the end-Permian and end-Cretaceous, that wiped out large fractions of species.
The 'Big Five': end-Ordovician (about 445 mya), late Devonian (372), end-Permian (252, about 90 percent of marine species lost), end-Triassic (201) and end-Cretaceous (66, non-avian dinosaurs). Causes include volcanism, climate change and, for the last, an asteroid impact at Chicxulub.
Recovery took millions of years and reshaped life.
Five major events, including the end-Permian and end-Cretaceous, that wiped out large fractions of species.
Mass Extinctions is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Extinction, Cambrian Explosion, Macroevolution.
Mammals diversified after the dinosaurs disappeared.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Mass Extinctions. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Mass Extinctions are Extinction, Cambrian Explosion, Macroevolution, Charles Darwin. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Mass Extinctions. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Mass Extinctions: Five major events, including the end-Permian and end-Cretaceous, that wiped out large fractions of species. Extinction: The permanent disappearance of a species, occurring naturally and at accelerated rates today. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Extinction and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The permanent disappearance of a species, occurring naturally and at accelerated rates today.
🦎 EvolutionA rapid diversification of animal body plans about 540 million years ago.
🦎 EvolutionEvolutionary patterns above the species level, including origins of major groups and mass extinctions.
🦎 EvolutionThe naturalist who proposed natural selection in On the Origin of Species in 1859 after the Beagle voyage.
🦎 Evolution