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What are two catastrophic events that can cause mass extinctions?

An asteroid from space, and Gradualevents


What are two things that can cause mass extinctions?

ice age,Noahs flood in bible


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 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.


Why do we think most extinctions occur as background extinctions?

Most extinctions are believed to occur as background extinctions because they result from gradual changes in environmental conditions, competition, and ecological shifts rather than catastrophic events. These slow processes allow species to gradually decline over time due to factors like habitat loss, climate change, and resource depletion. Background extinctions typically reflect the normal turnover of species, where weaker or less adaptable organisms are outcompeted or unable to survive in changing conditions. This contrasts with mass extinctions, which are sudden and dramatic, affecting a wide range of species simultaneously.