Which is not a true statement about mass extinction events?
A) Many 20th century geologists did not believe that Earth experienced catastrophic extinction events but rather the life on Earth gradually died off and the rocks containing this evidence had not been discovered yet
B) Once geologists could travel more freely across Earth to study rock layers, they discovered that fossiliferous rocks of appropriate ages to fill the gaps were readily available to study
C) Evidence in the rock record indicated that rapid mass extinction events have occurred at least five times throughout geologic past
D) The mass extinction event at the end of the Permian Period represents the most dramatic extinction event

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B because it suggests that gaps in the fossil record were easily filled once geologists could travel more freely, which is not true. Discovering evidence of mass extinctions and understanding the completeness of the fossil record has been a complex process, not simply resolved by increased travel and study of rock layers.

Which Is Not a True Statement About Mass Extinction Events