What is a mass extinction?
A) The continuous extinction of various species
B) The result of excessive allopatric speciation
C) The result of accumulated harmful mutations
D) An occurrence when an entire phylum of cohorts dies off
E) A rapid increase in the rate of extinctions that reduces Earth's biotic diversity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mass extinction is a rapid increase in the rate of extinction that leads to a significant loss of Earth's biodiversity. This results in the loss of many different species across various taxonomic groups during a relatively short period of time. Examples of mass extinctions in Earth's history include the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species at the end of the Cretaceous period, as well as the much earlier extinction event that marked the end of the Permian period, which wiped out 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species.

What Is a Mass Extinction