Is extinction natural? How has the extinction rate changed over time? Why are extinction rates today different from rates in the past?
What will be an ideal response?
Students should discuss some of the following. Extinction is a natural process. Extinction rates have risen higher than the background extinction rate during several mass extinction events during Earth's history. In the past 440 million years, there have been five major episodes of mass extinction. If current trends continue, the modern era may see the extinction of more than half of all species. While similar in scale to previous mass extinctions, today's ongoing mass extinction is different in two respects. First, humans are causing it. Second, humans will suffer as a result.
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On a surface weather map that shows an open wave cyclone, where can the warm sector be observed?
A. ahead of an advancing cold-occluded front B. behind an advancing cold front C. behind an advancing cold-occluded front D. ahead of an advancing cold front
The imaginary line separating one basin from another is called:
a. drainage divide b. recharge zone c. drainage basin d. headwater zone
Which of the following is a recent political response to efforts of the environmental movement?
A) Increased conflict over access to publicly owned resources B) Increased attention to sources of radiation C) Increased reliance upon fossil fuels D) Decreased reliance upon technology
Which of the following is not a significant factor contributing to the damage caused by an earthquake?
A. the duration of the vibrations the
B. the proximity to a plate boundary
C. the types of ground materials that are built on in the region
D. the construction techniques and materials used in the region