question archive Which of the following are thought to have contributed to the partial extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period? Group of answer choices a viral pandemic a long period of increased vulcanism decreased atmospheric oxygen an asteroid impact on the earth competition with mammals
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Which of the following are thought to have contributed to the partial extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period?
Group of answer choices
a viral pandemic
a long period of increased vulcanism
decreased atmospheric oxygen
an asteroid impact on the earth
competition with mammals
Answer: an asteroid impact on the earth
Step-by-step explanation
The Cretaceous period is the longest and the endmost period of the Mesozoic era. This geologic period is also known as the time period where dinosaurs, which previously dominated the earth, became extinct.
The extinction of the dinosaurs and other organisms during this period is attributed to the impact of an asteroid coming on earth. The event caused major destruction and changes to the environmental conditions of the earth such as absence of sunlight which disrupted the food chain. It caused the death of both plants and animals and eventually lead to the extinction of numerous species as well as of the dinosaurs.