Evolutionary Catastrophes: The Science of Mass Extinction - Hardcover

Courtillot, Vincent

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521583926 ISBN 13: 9780521583923

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Why did the dinosaurs and two-thirds of all living species vanish from the face of the Earth sixty-five million years ago? Throughout the history of life a small number of catastrophic events have caused mass extinction, and changed the path of evolution forever. Two main theories have emerged to account for these dramatic events: asteroid impact, and massive volcanic eruptions, both leading to nuclear-like winter. In recent years, the impact hypothesis has gained precedence, but Vincent Courtillot suggests that cataclysmic volcanic activity can be linked not only to the K-T mass extinction, but to most of the main mass extinction events in the history of the Earth. Courtillot's book debunks some of the myths surrounding one of the most controversial arguments in science. This story will fascinate everyone interested in the history of life and death on our planet.

About this title

Book Description:

Why did the dinosaurs and two-thirds of all living species vanish from the face of the Earth sixty-five million years ago? Throughout the history of life a small number of catastrophic events have caused mass extinction, and changed the path of evolution forever. Vincent Courtillot suggests that cataclysmic volcanic activity can be linked to most of these dramatic events. Courtillot's book debunks some of the myths surrounding one of science's most controversial arguments, and will fascinate everyone interested in the history of life and death on our planet.

About the Author:

Vincent Courtillot is Professor of Geophysics at the University of Paris, heads a research group at Institut de Physique du Globe and is special advisor to the French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0521583926
• ISBN 13: 9780521583923
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 188