Related Experiment Videos
Large-body impact and extinction in the Phanerozoic
1Department of the Geological Sciences, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
Paleobiology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Large-body impacts may explain mass extinctions. This study developed an impact-kill curve, linking crater size to extinction levels, suggesting impacts are a credible cause for pulsed extinctions.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Geology
- Impact Cratering Studies
Background:
- The Phanerozoic marine species kill curve provides a framework for understanding extinction events.
- Pulsed extinctions, comprising ~60% of Phanerozoic extinctions, occur in rapid, high-rate events (>5%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of large-body impacts as a driver of Phanerozoic species extinctions.
- To develop and assess an impact-kill curve model for predicting extinction levels based on impactor size.
Main Methods:
- Combined existing Phanerozoic impact rate estimates with a marine species kill curve.
- Developed an impact-kill curve correlating extinction levels with crater diameter.
- Assumed impacts are the sole cause of defined 'pulsed' extinction events.
Main Results:
- The generated impact-kill curve is deemed credible.
- The model suggests a quantifiable relationship between impact size and extinction severity.
Conclusions:
- The impact-kill curve supports the hypothesis that large-body impacts contribute significantly to species extinctions.
- Further rigorous testing of the impact-extinction hypothesis is warranted.
- Future research requires comprehensive radiometric dating of Phanerozoic impact events.