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3.2 Mass Extinctions: Then and Now

Comparing Mass Extinctions

In this activity you will review the what is known about the five major past extinctions and compare this to now, the time scientists are calling the 6th mass extinction. This is an exercise in thinking. You need to understand the causes of these extinctions but also the differences between historic extinctions and what is happening now.

The idea is to produce a graphic that illustrates the similarities and differences after doing some further research. I introduce this activity by listening to the first 11 minutes of a podcast from author Elisabeth Kolbert and providing an overview of the topic using  3.2 Mass Extinctions and the 6th Extinction.

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