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Mass extinction: a commentary.

D M Raup1

  • 1Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.

Palaeontology
|January 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Neocatastrophist theories propose that asteroid impacts caused mass extinctions and that these events, along with cratering, are periodic. Further research is needed to confirm the impact-extinction link and explore episodic extinction hypotheses.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Planetary Science
  • Geology

Background:

  • Four neocatastrophist claims link mass extinctions to asteroid impacts.
  • These claims suggest impacts caused the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction and potentially five others.
  • The periodicity of extinctions and impact cratering since the Permian is also debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the evidence supporting neocatastrophist claims regarding mass extinctions and impacts.
  • To identify areas for future research in understanding extinction patterns.
  • To explore the potential of astronomical phenomena in predicting Earth's environmental effects.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing evidence for impact-extinction links.
  • Analysis of the periodicity of extinction events and impact crater ages.
  • Consideration of paleontological data and Solar System/Galactic phenomena.

Main Results:

  • Evidence strongly suggests a link between large body impacts and mass extinctions, though further confirmation is required.
  • The claims, while interconnected, are independently testable.
  • The hypothesis of episodic extinction, rather than continuous, is proposed for testing.

Conclusions:

  • Further bed-by-bed and laboratory studies are crucial for confirming the impact-extinction hypothesis.
  • Investigating whether extinction is episodic or continuous is a key area for future research.
  • Integrating knowledge of astronomical cycles may enhance paleontological predictions of environmental events.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

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