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Chapter 47: Q.17 (page 1401)

Describe the evidence for the cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) mass extinction.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The hypothesized cause of the K-Pg extinction event is an asteroid impact.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Introduction 

TheCretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction event was a sudden mass extinction of three-quarters of the plant and animal species on Earth.

The K–Pg extinction event was severe, global, rapid, and selective, eliminating a vast number of species. Based on marine fossils, it is estimated that 75% or more of all species were made extinct.

02

Step 2. Explanation 

  • The first piece of evidence of the impact is a spike in iridium (an element that is rare on Earth, but common in meteors) in the geological layers that mark the K–Pg transition.
  • The second piece of evidence is an impact crater off the Yucatán Peninsula that is the right size and age to have caused the extinction event.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A mass extinction is defined as ________.

a. a loss of 95 percent of species

b. an asteroid impact

c. a boundary between geological periods

d. a loss of 50 percent of species

Describe the two methods used to calculate

contemporary extinction rates.

Exotic species are especially threatening to what kind of

ecosystem?

a. deserts

b. marine ecosystems

c. islands

d. tropical forests

Scientists measured the relative abundance of fern spores above and below the K-Pg boundary in this rock sample. Which of the following statements most likely represents their findings?

a. An abundance of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above.

b. An abundance of fern spores from several species was found above the K-Pg boundary, but none was found below.

c. An abundance of fern spores was found both above and below the K-Pg boundary, but only one species was found below the boundary , and many species were found above the boundary.

d. Many species of fern spores were found both above and below the boundary, but the total number of spores was greater below the boundary.

Which two extinction risks may be a direct result of the

pet trade?

a. climate change and exotic species introduction

b. habitat loss and overharvesting

c. overharvesting and exotic species introduction

d. habitat loss and climate change
See all solutions

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