Mass extinction Events - the 6th one Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mass extinction Events - the 6th one - Essay Example appened in the planet’s history, mass extinction is an occasion that mankind cannot penetrate, delay or stop especially if they are the primary ones responsible for the planet’s destruction. One is as responsible as the other towards the maintenance of the planet that mankind is living in. There is no reason for finger pointing at this point as to why things are being experienced worldwide (Hallam & Wignall, 1-5). Mass extinctions already happened more than once in the existence of planet Earth. The first mass extinction was said to have happened approximately 500 million years ago and it was the temperature in the planet’s surface that have changed drastically. This event incurred the massive extinctions of species, plants and animals alike. This brought about changes, mostly physical, to those who survive the extinctions. Others would point out these changes as evolution in the species. They needed to evolve and be able to adapt to the surroundings enabling them to survive. Approximately 250 million years ago, another mass extinction occurred and devastated the planet. It was said that during this second mass extinction, it took a while before the surviving species was able to recover. While others failed to adapt therefore becoming extinct (Frankel, 5-10). During the third mass extinction, it was the aquatic species that was confounded. It was after the fourth mass extinction that r eptiles and dinosaurs were said to have evolved. Then around 65 million years ago, the fifth mass extinction occurred. This is the extinction that the generation of today is more aware (Wicander & Monroe, 242; Hoffman, 176). There are scholars who do believe that mankind and the planet is in the middle of the sixth mass extinction as the planet’s composition has been disturbed massively especially in recent centuries or even decades. As mankind is perceived to become more intelligent, the more it aided the events that may cause the mass extinction and even end the human