VCAA definition of mass extinction

[suskieanna]

Hello does anyone know the VCAA definition of mass extinction? I've done some practice exams and this appeared twice so I think it is good to know clear definition. Thanks

[darkz]

Hello does anyone know the VCAA definition of mass extinction? I've done some practice exams and this appeared twice so I think it is good to know clear definition. Thanks

Well you can just refer to mass extinctions being the loss of a substantial number of species from the earth i.e. no members of the species exists anymore

On the 2013 exam, this was the definition for extinction
- Extinction is when no members of a particular species exist

[PhoenixxFire]

If you’re specifically referring to mass extinction (rather than just extinction in general) make sure you include that it’s lots of species going extinct in a short time frame.

[Erutepa]

Mass extinction/extinction events are catagorised by an abnormally rapid rate of extinction (i.e. when the extinction rates greatly exceed the speciation rates in a given period of time).
Also relevant to mass extinctions (and something that I didn't pick up when we covered it) is that they are followed by rapid divergent evolution/adaptive radiation.

[vox nihili]

Mass extinction/extinction events are catagorised by an abnormally rapid rate of extinction (i.e. when the extinction rates greatly exceed the speciation rates in a given period of time).
Also relevant to mass extinctions (and something that I didn't pick up when we covered it) is that they are followed by rapid divergent evolution/adaptive radiation.

I'm not sure whether it's wise to compare extinction to speciation in your definition. It's probably better just to say that the rate of extinction is significantly above baseline, just because there are plenty of factors that can affect speciation (e.g. pretty stable environments slow down the rate of speciation).