Earth has experienced five major mass extinctions that dramatically reshaped life on our planet. In this Cliff Notes–style breakdown, we quickly explore the causes and impacts of each extinction event and how they changed the course of evolution.We’ll cover:• Ordovician–Silurian extinction event – A massive ice age that wiped out around 85% of marine species.• Late Devonian extinction – A prolonged crisis that devastated reef ecosystems and ocean life.• Permian–Triassic extinction event – The largest extinction in Earth’s history, sometimes called “The Great Dying,” eliminating up to 90–96% of species.• Triassic–Jurassic extinction event – A volcanic catastrophe that cleared the way for dinosaurs to dominate the planet.• Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event – The asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs (except birds).This quick guide covers what caused each extinction, what died, and how life recovered—all in a fast, easy-to-understand overview.If you enjoy paleontology, prehistoric life, and Earth history, this video gives you the essential facts behind the Big Five extinctions that shaped the world we live in today.If you love prehistoric life, deep-time ecosystems, and behind-the-scenes paleo stories, you’re going to enjoy this conversation!
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