Would a global compilation of fossil data give the best estimates for mass extinction events in the past?

Question

What problems can you foresee in a compilation of this type?

Answer 1

Yes! That's exactly how mass extinction events have been verified. It has to do with the density of fossils in a particular geological stratum, followed by a sharp decline in fossilization in the proceeding stratum. This pattern then has to be confirmed in multiple locations all over the world. For example, the best evidence for the mass extinction at the end of the Permian is found in ancient sea beds found in the Ural Mountains, the Arctic, China, and Australia.



Some problems are that fossilization is a rare occurrence, not all fossils will be found, geological forces can move and destroy fossil beds, and of course, the data can be misinterpreted.

Answer 2

There are a minimum of two pernicious components at interaction related to mass extinction: the 1st is human over-fishing interior the worlds oceans the place many species have been decreased with as much as ninety% in some many years. the 2nd is the better acidity interior the international's oceans that originates from the becoming CO2 ranges interior the ambience. regrettably the acidification is going on way too speedy for species to be waiting to evolve to the modifications.

Answer 3

no, because only a few (compared to the amount that has ever existed) species have ever left any fossils. Almos all species go extinct without leaving a fossil behind.

Answer 4

Yep, pity much of it has been drilled and dug up to fuel our power stations and drive our cars.