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(meteorobs) extinctions
Several years ago, (when dinosaur killers was a hot
topic), a researcher showed that mass extinctions occurred on average about
every 600,000 years- not on the same scale as the two main events of 200 million
(guestimate from memory) and the more famous one 65 million years ago. These
extinction stats are based on the diversity of fossil counts for the various
time spans into the past as related in an article in Sky & Tel. (If anyone
can remember the date of publication - I would appreciate it)
We must also include major eruptions on the planet
which can match minor impacts from space when it comes to putting particulate
matter into the atmosphere.
There was even a significant event that reduced the
human population to 10,000 on the entire planet as well as affecting other
creatures.
The planet and universe is a lot more unstable than
we believed during my upbringing in the 50's.
It takes a great deal of stability to maintain this
civilization at this level. Not unlike a sprinter at full speed, the tinniest
upset will cause the runner to lose his balance. A primitive culture, on the
other hand, doesnt have very far to fall. Consider how long it took Mobile
and southern Dade county to recover after their hurricane related devastations.
I havent become a doomsayer because of the changes
in my awareness. I enjoy all we have even more deeply.
Tom
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