ISSN:
1572-9478
Keywords:
cratering
;
mass extinction
;
periodicities
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Matsumoto & Kubotani argued that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between cratering and mass extinction. This argument is critically examined by adopting a method of Ertel used by Matsumoto & Kubotani but by applying it more directly to the extinction and cratering records. It is shown that on the null-hypothesis of random distribution of crater ages, the observed correlation has a probability of occurrence of 13%. However, when large craters are excluded whose ages agree with the times of peaks of extinction rate of marine fauna, one obtains a negative correlation. This result strongly indicates that mass extinction are not due to accumulation of impacts but due to isolated gigantic impacts. Further, correlations between cratering and flood basalts and between mass extinction and flood basalts originally recognized by Stothers are further investigated. It is shown that for the former, large craters corresponds to 7 of 11 major flood basalts. Periodicity analyses are carried out for the geomagnetic reversal events and extinction rate peaks recently given by Sepkoski for the interval up to 540 M yr BP. The former exhibits a significant periodicity at P = 15 M yr, but the latter shows no significant period. It seems premature to regard the periodicity in geological records established.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008313929503
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