How the Andes Mountains Might Have Killed a Bunch of Whales

Cerro Ballena, a fossil site in the Atacama Desert, holds remains of marine mammals from the Miocene Epoch. Researchers explored various hypotheses for the mass deaths, including natural disasters and diseases, but settled on harmful algal blooms as the likely cause. These blooms, fueled by iron-rich runoff from the Andes, poisoned marine life, leading to repeated mass strandings. The study highlights the interconnectedness of Earth's systems, from ocean currents to climate cycles.

What makes the Cerro Ballena site a significant find in the fossil record?

• It contains the largest number of dinosaur fossils.

• It has a rare density of marine mammal skeletons.

• It is the oldest fossil site in the world.

• It contains the first evidence of human life.

Which hypothesis was considered unlikely due to the need to affect multiple species over thousands of years?

• A pandemic affecting all species.

• A series of tsunamis.

• A change in whale behavior.

• A volcanic eruption.

What natural phenomenon is believed to have caused the mass strandings at Cerro Ballena?

• Volcanic eruptions.

• Earthquakes.

• Harmful algal blooms.

• Meteor impacts.

How do harmful algal blooms affect marine mammals?

• By blocking sunlight needed for survival.

• By causing physical injuries.

• By increasing water temperature.

• By producing toxins that can be inhaled or ingested.

What role did the Andes mountains play in the formation of harmful algal blooms?

• They blocked ocean currents.

• They were a source of iron-rich runoff.

• They caused earthquakes.

• They provided shelter for marine mammals.

What is the astronomical cycle that influenced climate changes leading to algal blooms?

• Solar flares.

• Tidal waves.

• Lunar eclipses.

• Precession.

What is the significance of the precession cycle in the context of Cerro Ballena?

• It led to the extinction of dinosaurs.

• It influenced climate zones and precipitation patterns.

• It created new ocean currents.

• It caused volcanic eruptions.