The Ordovician Mass Extinction
...ge-scale continental resulting in widespread glaciation.” It was also determined that the glaciation caused the sea level to fall as large amounts of water became tied up in ice sheets. As a result, marine habitats were destroyed, which reduced the number of ecological niches. Before the Ordovician Extinction, the Earth was unusually warm, and scientists looked for the explanation of the sudden glaciers. A theory was suggested that indicated the extinction may have been caused by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun after gamma rays destroyed the Earth’s ozone layer. Adrian L. Melott, a University of Kansas astronomer, said, “We think there is very good circumstantial evidence for a gamma ray burst.” It is a known fact that ultraviolet rays can cook fragile, unprotected life forms. Sea creature’s account for most of the life killed in the Ordovician Extinction. It was those animals that lived at or near the surface of the water, that were at the greatest risk from the ultraviolet radiation. Melott also said, “You can expect a dangerous gamma ray burst every few hundred million years. It could happen tomorrow or it could be millions of years.” Many scientists feel extinction is under way and has been for thousands of years. I think that radiation from the Suns causes harmful effects of on plants and animals. Ultraviolet rays cause chemical reactions in plants and animals and if they are overexposed to it, it could kill them. Global warming and ozone certainly suggest a possible future extinction. Disposable products, pesticides, overpopulation, and over-consumption of resources could trigger another mass extinction. People keep buying bigger houses which causes more land to be destroyed, and more fuel to heat and cool those houses. Bigger cars cause more fuel to be consumed and burned. Companies are continually coming out with more and ...