Question
Which of the following are causes of past mass extinction events? Select all that are true.(3 points)
Responses
slightly higher than normal rainfall amounts in a year
slightly higher than normal rainfall amounts in a year
rising or falling sea levels
rising or falling sea levels
catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions
catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions
bacteria producing large amounts of toxic methane
Responses
slightly higher than normal rainfall amounts in a year
slightly higher than normal rainfall amounts in a year
rising or falling sea levels
rising or falling sea levels
catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions
catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions
bacteria producing large amounts of toxic methane
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The causes of past mass extinction events include:
- **Rising or falling sea levels**: Changes in sea levels can significantly impact marine environments and terrestrial ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and species extinction.
- **Catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions**: These events can cause widespread destruction, climate change, and habitat alteration, which have been linked to mass extinction events in Earth's history.
- **Bacteria producing large amounts of toxic methane**: This scenario is associated with changes in oceanic and atmospheric conditions that can lead to severe environmental stress and contribute to extinction events.
The option regarding "slightly higher than normal rainfall amounts in a year" is not typically associated with mass extinctions; while it may have ecological impacts, it is unlikely to cause mass extinction on its own.
Therefore, the correct choices are:
- Rising or falling sea levels
- Catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions
- Bacteria producing large amounts of toxic methane
- **Rising or falling sea levels**: Changes in sea levels can significantly impact marine environments and terrestrial ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and species extinction.
- **Catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions**: These events can cause widespread destruction, climate change, and habitat alteration, which have been linked to mass extinction events in Earth's history.
- **Bacteria producing large amounts of toxic methane**: This scenario is associated with changes in oceanic and atmospheric conditions that can lead to severe environmental stress and contribute to extinction events.
The option regarding "slightly higher than normal rainfall amounts in a year" is not typically associated with mass extinctions; while it may have ecological impacts, it is unlikely to cause mass extinction on its own.
Therefore, the correct choices are:
- Rising or falling sea levels
- Catastrophic events such as asteroids or volcanic eruptions
- Bacteria producing large amounts of toxic methane