GLG 111 Movie Questions PDF

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Questions Regarding an In Class Mandatory Movie With Answers and Information, In Class Assignment, Geoglogy 111...

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GLG 111 A – The Dynamic Earth Homework #2: Phanerozoic Mass Extinctions DUE DATE: before class on Wednesday, October 25th Instructions: This assignment builds upon the documentary you watched today, as well as the follow-up supplemental reading. You should review this document before coming to class on Monday, October 23rd  , and take relevant notes as you watch the documentary. Your answers should be based on the material  in the documentary, not on anything else you may read about this event online. The reading on Canvas builds on the documentary to include a discussion of possible causes of the Cretaceous-Paleogene, K-Pg, (or Cretaceous-Tertiary, K-T, in older literature) mass extinction. Type your answers to the questions that follow into this document and submit it on Canvas before the start of class on Wednesday, 10/25/17. Assignment: 1). Describe two ways in which volcanic gases from large flood basalt eruptions can impact global climate. Explain why these effects do not counteract each other (i.e., consider the timescale of the effect associated with each gas). (4 pts.) Two ways in which volcanic gases from large flood basalt eruptions can impact the global climate are by throwing ash and dust into the air and creating long nuclear winters and extremely hot summers. 2). What is another way, in  addition to altering the climate, that volcanic gases could contribute to mass extinction events? (2 pts.) Volcanic gases could contribute to mass extinction events because carbon dioxide was emitted into the air, killing plants and animals. 3). Describe the effects of large impact events and the role of these in mass extinction events. (3 pts.) Rampino concluded that a large meteor hit the earth, which led to dust and ash in the air. This dust and ash covered the sun and created a nuclear winter.

4). What are the main problems (at least 2 or 3) with an impact origin for the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event? (2 pts.) One problem was that there was no crater left behind; there should have been some sort of evidence of the meteor. They then found out the the crater would have filled with lava. In addition, there should have been another trace of dust and shattered rock. Once found, scientists concluded the meteor would have been too small to wipe out 95% of the earth's plants and animals.

5). How does the chronology (i.e., timing and duration) of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event, as inferred by Paul Wignall and colleagues based on their work in Greenland, compared with the chronology of the event as inferred by Michael Rampino and colleagues based on their work in the Alps? (3 pts.) Wignall stated that the extinction had been gradual and lasted for tens of thousands of years in three stages. Rampino on the other hand concluded it was very rapid, only over eight to ten thousand years.

6). Briefly describe the carbon isotope anomaly associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event, including its timing in relation to the various identified stages of the extinction event. (2 pts.) Carbon 12, which is usually rotten plant and animal matter, was found in the rocks. Once Carbon 12 was mixed with water, it released a gas. This helped increase the temperature of the earth by five degrees.

7). What is the current interpretation of the cause of the carbon isotope anomaly that you identified in the previous question, and how would this contribute to the mass extinction event? (2 pts.) Methane along with the lava flows would have increased the earth’s temperature by a total of 10 degrees, meaning that all life would have perished.

8). From the reading, briefly describe the main evidence linking flood basalt eruptions and giant impacts to the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event. (2 pts.)

The main evidence linking flood basalt eruptions and giant impacts to Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event is Deccan Traps. They are found in what is now present day northwest India. These are made up of flood basalt deposits that supposedly erupted between 63 and 67 billion years ago....