Mass Extinction Events Worksheet
Explore the causes, effects, and history of mass extinction events on Earth with this comprehensive worksheet for Grade 9 science students.
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Mass Extinction Events
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Which of the following is NOT typically considered a major cause of mass extinction events?
Volcanic eruptions
Asteroid impacts
Gradual climate change
Tectonic plate movement
2. The event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs is known as the:
Permian-Triassic Extinction
Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction
Ordovician-Silurian Extinction
Late Devonian Extinction
3. A mass extinction is defined as a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth. It is identified by a sharp change in the of multicellular organisms.
4. The Permian-Triassic extinction, also known as the Great Dying, was the Earth's most severe known extinction event, with up to 96% of all marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species becoming .
5. Briefly explain how a massive volcanic eruption could lead to a mass extinction event.
6. The Earth has experienced only one major mass extinction event in its history.
True
False
7. Human activities are currently contributing to what many scientists call the 'sixth mass extinction'.
True
False
8. Discuss two significant environmental changes that often accompany mass extinction events and explain how these changes impact living organisms.