The word "earth-shattering" can be classified as figurative. In this context, it is used to emphasize the significance of the finding regarding plesiosaurs' reproductive behavior, suggesting it is groundbreaking or revolutionary rather than literally causing physical disruption to the Earth. The surrounding context helps clarify its meaning, as it describes a major shift in understanding how these ancient creatures reproduced, which contrasts with the more typical reproductive strategies of other reptiles. Thus, the word conveys the profound impact of the discovery on the scientific community rather than referring to an actual seismic event.
The animal, which roamed the seas 78-million years ago, is about 15-feet long — the length of a minibus — and bones indicate that the baby plesiosaur would have been as long as six feet when born. The finding, published in the online edition of the journal Science on Thursday, is definitive evidence that the giant sea creature gave birth to single, live offspring, rather than laying eggs, like most reptiles, says paleontologist and lead author F. Robin O’Keefe. This reproductive behavior also indicates that the animals were gregarious social creatures that cared for their young, similar to toothed whales or dolphins, according to the paper. “What is earth-shattering is that plesiosaurs are doing it differently than other reptiles,” O’Keefe said. “Instead of having lots of little babies, they’re having one big baby — a single, very large fetus.” Use the passage to answer the question. In 3–5 sentences, classify the word earth-shattering as denotative, connotative, or figurative, and then explain how context helped you determine the meaning of the phrase.
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