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Dynamics of Comets and Asteroids and Their Role in Earth History pp 49–58Cite as

The Galactic Theory of Mass Extinctions: An Update

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Abstract

Astronomical and geological evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that mass extinctions of life on Earth are related to impacts of comets whose flux is partly modulated by the dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy. Geologic evidence for impact (ejects and large impact craters) has been found at times of mass extinction events, and the record of large dated craters shows a significant correlation with extinctions. Statistical analyses suggest that mass extinction events exhibit a periodic component of about 30 Myr, and periodicities of 30 ± 0.5 Myr and 35 ± 2 Myr have been extracted from sets of well-dated large impact craters. These results suggest periodic or quasi-periodic showers of impactors, probably Oort Cloud comets, with an approximately 30 or 36 Myr cycle. The best explanation for these proposed quasi-periodic comet showers involves the Sun’s vertical oscillation through the galactic disk, which may have a similar cycle time between crossings of the galactic plane. Further refinement of the model will depend on the identification and quantification of the dark matter component in the galactic disk, and discovery and accurate dating of additional impact craters.

Key words

  • Mass extinction — comet showers

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NASA, New York, New York, 10025, USA

    Michael R. Rampino

  2. Earth & Environmental Science Program, New York University, New York, New York, 10003, USA

    Michael R. Rampino

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  1. Michael R. Rampino
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kyoto University, Japan

    Shin Yabushita

  2. University of Namur, Belgium

    Jacques Henrard

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Rampino, M.R. (1998). The Galactic Theory of Mass Extinctions: An Update. In: Yabushita, S., Henrard, J. (eds) Dynamics of Comets and Asteroids and Their Role in Earth History. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1321-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1321-4_5

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