Ordovician Mass Extinction Quiz

What is the significance of the Ordovician mass extinction in Earth's history?

• It was the first mass extinction event.

• It was the largest mass extinction event.

• It was the first of the big five mass extinctions.

• It was the last mass extinction event.

What was a major consequence of the first pulse of climate change during the Ordovician period?

• Rise in global temperatures

• Increase in sea level

• Extinction of warm-adapted species

• Formation of new species

What was the impact of Gondwana moving over the South Pole during the Ordovician period?

• It decreased weathering rates.

• It increased volcanic activity.

• It led to the formation of ice caps.

• It caused a rise in sea level.

What mystery surrounds the initial cooling event during the Ordovician extinction?

• The role of volcanic eruptions

• The cause of the change in the greenhouse effect

• The precise timeline of the event

• The exact species that went extinct

How did non-vascular plants contribute to weathering during the Ordovician period?

• By forming large forests

• By decreasing primary productivity

• By accelerating the release of nutrients from rocks

• By increasing atmospheric CO2

How did the spread of non-vascular plants affect the Ordovician climate?

• By enhancing carbon sequestration

• By reducing primary productivity

• By decreasing weathering rates

• By increasing atmospheric CO2

What was a significant effect of the sulfur isotope excursions during the Ordovician extinction?

• Increase in oxygen levels

• Widespread anoxia and euxinia

• Formation of new land masses

• Decrease in sea level

What role did cyanobacterial blooms play during the second pulse of climate change?

• They decreased nutrient supply.

• They stabilized oxygen levels.

• They caused widespread anoxia.

• They increased the number of grazers.

What was a consequence of the enhanced nutrient supply during the Ordovician extinction?

• Decrease in primary productivity

• Eutrophication and algal blooms

• Increase in oxygen levels

• Stabilization of climate

What advantage did cyanobacteria have over eukaryotic algae during the Ordovician extinction?

• Greater size

• Ability to fix nitrogen

• Higher growth rate

• Resistance to anoxia