(Stnd 16) Quiz-Geology and Extinction WS

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The diagram shows the development of two species, the giraffe and the okapi, through the process of gradualism. During the first stage of gradualism, shown as “Geographic Isolation,” the two branches of the species became separated from each other. During the second stage, shown as “Genetic Isolation,” the okapi and the giraffe developed into two distinct species.

Which statement best describes the continued existence of the giraffe and the okapi?

a.	The two species are no longer able to interbreed, and both will continue to exist and reproduce in their separate environments.
b.	The two species will likely interbreed and develop a new species with characteristics of their common ancestor.
c.	The two species will be in competition for resources with each other in a single environment, leading to the extinction of one of the species.
d.	The two species will likely interbreed with each other, resulting in young with characteristics of both species.

Examine the graph below which displays five major extinction events.

What common factor occurred during each of these five extinction events, and what most likely caused the mass extinction at the end of the Ordovician period?

a.	The five major mass extinctions were caused by massive volcanic eruptions, and the Ordovician extinction was most likely caused by a Flood Basalt eruption in Russia.
b.	All five major mass extinction events happened due to asteroid impacts, and the Ordovician mass extinction was most likely caused by global cooling (an Ice Age).
c.	One common factor is all mass extinctions is lack of rainfall (drought). The extinction event at the end of the Ordovician period was from a 1000-year global drought.
d.	Mass extinctions occur when the environment is significantly changed, and glaciation (an Ice Age) most likely caused the Ordovician mass extinction.

A canyon wall is shown. The rocks that make up the wall are layered.

From the evidence in the picture, which statement is most correct about what the fossil record looks like in this location?

a.	The number of fossils would rise and then immediately disappear.
b.	The number of fossils would decrease as the layers accumulate.
c.	The types of fossils would be similar but would show gradual structural changes.
d.	The types of fossils would stay exactly the same in every layer.

Extinctions can be caused by tectonic plate movement, asteroid impacts, or massive volcanic eruptions.

What occurs after each mass extinction, and when did this occur with mammal after the dinosaur extinction per the graph shown above?

a.	Existing species survive for a time but slowly die off until none are left to reproduce. Mammal diversification significantly increased around 35 MYA.
b.	Mutations result in super-predators which overgraze the flora causing extinction. Mammal diversification significantly increased around 30 MYA.
c.	Ultraviolet radiation and solar flares gradually destroy all life on Earth. Mammal diversification significantly increased around 75 MYA.
d.	Surviving species adapt to the new environmental conditions and fill vacant habitats. Mammal diversification significantly increased around 65 MYA.

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the dinosaurs were made extinct is a catastrophic event which occurred about 65 million years ago. This was a rapid extinction that was most likely caused by a large asteroid impact.

Two Part Question
Part One: How did this impact effect the stability of ecosystems around the planet?
Part Two: In which era and period did this event occur?

a.	Part One: Excess heat from the explosive impact melted the ice caps at both the North and South poles which raised the sea levels. Higher sea levels killed marine life. Part Two: This occurred in the Paleozoic era at the end of the Cambrian period.
b.	Part One: Vaporized rock in the atmosphere reduced sunlight resulting in plant deaths and lower global temperatures. This disrupted food webs and destroyed ecosystems. Part Two: This occurred in the Mesozoic era at the end of the Cretaceous period.
c.	Part One: The impact ripped open a fault line in Russia called the Siberian Traps which vented millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Part Two: This happened in the Cretaceous period during the Mesozoic era.
d.	Part One: Only the ecosystems at the impact site were damaged or destroyed. Most ecosystems around the world were unaffected resulting in a population boom. Part Two: This occurred in the Cenozoic era at the end of the Neogene period.

Examine this graph showing five mass extinction events.

Also, examine this chart of mass extinction causes.

Interpret Data/Cause and Effect:
What one key factor most likely resulted in the mass extinction event at the end of the Permian period, and approximately when did this occur?

a.	Climate change due to industrial air pollution from about 65 million years ago.
b.	Environmental changes due to volcanic activity about 230 million years ago.
c.	Massive global volcanic eruptions that occurred about 200 million years ago.
d.	Ocean chemistry changes that occurred about 500 million years ago.

During glacial periods (Ice Ages), sea levels drop which changes marine ecosystems resulting in population changes and/or extinctions. During interglacial periods, sea levels rise which can have similar consequences.

Graph of Glacial and Inter-Glacial Periods

What cause and effect connection explains why the sea level changes like this, and per graph displayed above, how often do Ice Ages occur?

a.	During warming periods, the higher global temperatures melts glaciers resulting in lower sea levels. Ice Ages occur about every 100, 000 years.
b.	Glaciers are heavy, and this weight pushes down the continents which makes the sea level rise. Ice ages occur about once every million years.
c.	During Ice Ages, more global water is frozen on land. This reduces the amount of water in the oceans. Glacial periods occur about every 100, 000 years
d.	Marine organisms reproduce faster in colder water. So, when ocean temperatures decrease, the number of fish vastly increases causing the ocean level to rise. Glacial periods occur about every 500, 000 years.

Examine the geologic timeline graph below.

Two-Part Question
Part One: Identify a time period of gradual population change.
Part Two: Identify a point of rapid population change (mass extinction)

a.	Part One: Gradual chance occurred 500 to 559 million year ago. Part Two: Rapid change-about 440 million years ago.
b.	Part One: Gradual chance occurred 325 to 275 million year ago. Part Two: Rapid change-about 230 million years ago.
c.	Part One: Gradual chance occurred 240 to 150 million year ago. Part Two: Rapid change-about 70 million years ago.
d.	Part One: Gradual chance occurred 600 to 400 million year ago. Part Two: Rapid change-about 430 million years ago.

Examine the diagrams below.

How can tectonic plate movement (continental drift) cause extinctions?

a.	If the plates move too quickly, the force of this motion can kill fauna and flora.
b.	When a continent is moved, this can change weather patterns (rainfall etc.) and the amount of sunlight.
c.	When tectonic plates move, they carry the continents with them. When continents are moved great distances, the climate will remain unchanged resulting in extinctions.
d.	Continental drift can cause asteroid impacts with devastating consequences.

10.

The graph shows the changes in the number of animal faunas living on Earth over time and how the faunas were affected by different extinction events.

Which statement is correct about the changes in faunas during one of these five major events?

a.	The event at the end of the Cretaceous resulted in an increase in the number of Paleozoic faunas.
b.	The event at the end of the Triassic (Tri.) resulted in the extinction of fewer faunas than in any other period.
c.	The event at the end of the Cretaceous resulted in the extinction of more faunas than in any other period.
d.	The event at the end of the Devonian (Dev.) resulted in an increase in the number of Cambrian faunas.