There have been five major mass extinctions and numerous “minor” extinctions on our planet. Some of the causes of extinctions are rooted in tectonic, ecological, or climatic processes as part of the earth system, but there are several extraterrestrial phenomena, including the famous asteroid impact, that can cause extinction events as well. 

In this talk, Dr. Kate Bulinski, invertebrate paleontologist at Bellarmine University will provide an overview of what we know about the causes and effects of the extinctions that have impacted both the living and non-living parts of our world.