What causes mass extinctions?

1 Answer
Oct 27, 2017

While multiple causes may result in mass extinctions, a major change in the earth's ecology, atmosphere, surface and water at rapid rates is a common cause in all the hypotheses.

Explanation:

There have been any theories about the causes of mass extinction but scientists have narrowed down several of the most likely causes of extinction as:
- flood basalt events ( volcanic eruptions)
- asteroid collisions
- sea level falls

Several other events that may contribute to mass extinction are global warming, global cooling, methane eruptions, and anoxic events - when the earth's oceans lose their extinction.

More than 90% of all organisms that have ever lived on earth are extinct.