MST 06S26 - Intro to Mass Extinctions
Course Description
Intro to Mass Extinctions (ONLINE) (No class 3/16)
Did you know that if we compile a list of every creature that has ever lived on the face of the Earth, over 98.5% are extinct ? Extinction of plants and animals is a natural, and necessary, biological function. It ensures that only species that have adapted to their environment thrive, and that all the available niches are taken advantage of for life to be as diverse as we see it today. However, every so often, an extremely high percentage (> 74% - ~ 95%) of the extant species simultaneously go extinct. This phenomenon has been documented to have happened five times since the late Ordovician (about 450 million years ago and continues today (the latter known as the Sixth or Anthropogenic Mass extinction). But is Man actually responsible ? Come join us to discuss these life-changing events.
Mon. 3/2-30 11 am-12:30 pm ONLINE
Instructor: Greg Indelicato Sessions: 4
Greg Indelicato holds a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Queens College, CUNY and a Master's degree in Earth and Space Sciences from Stonybrook University (SUNY). He has worked as a professional geologist in several capacities including minerals exploration, petroleum geophysics, exploration geochemistry, geotechnical and hydrogeologic engineering, environment geology. He also had an opportunity to work with lunar rocks and glasses from Apollo 12 and 15. Greg has lectured on various subjects ranging from Physical Geology to exploration methods for base metals and uranium.