Question

Which of the following characterizes a mass extinction event?(1 point) Responses The cause of the mass extinction must be identified. The cause of the mass extinction must be identified. A large number of organisms died. A large number of organisms died. Extinctions prevent new species from evolving. Extinctions prevent new species from evolving. Most species on Earth die over a short period.

Answer 1

A mass extinction event is characterized by the following response:

Most species on Earth die over a short period.

While identifying the cause of the extinction can be important in understanding the event, it is not a defining characteristic of a mass extinction. Additionally, while extinctions can impact the evolution of new species, that statement is not a defining feature of mass extinctions. The key aspect is the rapid loss of a significant proportion of species across various taxonomic groups.