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The Permian-Triassic extinction event was probably caused by tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide that were released from a huge volcanic flow in what is now Russia. This carbon dioxide would have warmed the Earth 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) on average, which would have been enough to evaporate deposits of methane on the ocean floor. This would have warmed the Earth an additional 5 degrees Celsius, for a total rise in average temperature of 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit). That would have caused catastrophic climate change, and may have also caused the oceans to lose oxygen content. This would have killed many marine species, and created an ideal habitat for bacteria that create hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas would poison many organisms, on top of damaging the ozone, so that UV light could harm any surviving organisms. 90% of species on Earth died out in this mass extinction.

The Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction Event was probably caused in part by climate change due to volcanoes releasing carbon dioxide. This climate change weakened many of Earth's species. Then, when an asteroid impacted the Earth and covered the sky in a thick layer of dust, blocking nearly all sunlight, plants died, and so did the animals that depended on them. There is some evidence that the dinosaurs actually survived the first asteroid impact, only to be wiped out by a second impact only 200,000 years later.

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The Permian-Triassic extinction, the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, was likely caused by intense volcanic activity leading to climate change and ocean acidification. The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, which wiped out the dinosaurs, was probably triggered by a massive asteroid impact that led to environmental disturbances like wildfires, tsunamis, and global darkness.

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Q: Describe the probable causes of two mass extinctions?
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What is a probable cause of two mass extictions?

For all mass extinctions (except the Cretaceous/Paleogene extinction) two probable causes are volcanic eruptions and ocean anoxia.


What was the outcomes of each of the mass extinctions?

The outcomes of each of the mass extinctions is that animal and/or bacteria die.


Do scientists believe that extinctions are uncommon?

No, they are fundamental to the process of evolution. Mass extinctions are less common.


What are some of the causes of background and mass extinctions?

Background extinctions are typically caused by natural events such as climate change, volcanic eruptions, or asteroid impacts. Mass extinctions are often attributed to catastrophic events like major asteroid impacts, volcanic eruptions, or significant climate change, which cause widespread disruption to ecosystems and species. Human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and overexploitation of resources, can also contribute to both background and mass extinctions.


What has happened during mass extinctions?

Bad things


Why mass extinctions occur and why they often mark divisions of geologic times?

Mass extinctions occur when extreme temperatures happen.https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/extinction3.htm


Why do you think most extinction's occur as background extinctions?

Most extinctions occur as background extinctions because they are longer time periods unlike the shorter mass extinctions which there were only two in the Paleozoic era, the Ordovician mass extinction, and the Permian/Triassic extinction in which 95% of all marine animals became extinct


Mass extinctions create conditions that promote?

Adaptive Radiation


What has changed most of the mass extinctions on earth?

climate change


Mass extinctions are usually followed by what?

Mass extinctions are usually followed by a period of rapid diversification as surviving species adapt to new environmental conditions and fill ecological niches left vacant by extinct species. This diversification can lead to the emergence of new species and ecosystems over time.


The fossil record indicates that Earth has experienced?

5 mass extinctions


What have Mass extinctions determined?

order in which fossils are found in the fossil record.