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From: rwb@scicom.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.astro,sci.misc
Subject: Mass extinctions
Message-ID: <784@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM>
Date: Wed, 25-Mar-87 21:44:40 EST
Article-I.D.: scicom.784
Posted: Wed Mar 25 21:44:40 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Mar-87 07:02:04 EST
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Xref: utgpu sci.bio:175 sci.astro:758 sci.misc:223


I have become very interested lately in the subject of mass extinctions
in earth's past.  Apparently, with remarkable regularity, about every
26 million years a large percentage of the life forms on our planet
die out.   

I know that there are many proposed explanations to this phenomenon.
Perhaps an object of a fairly large mass out on the fringes of our
solar system interferes with the Oort Cloud, sending a barrage of comets
at the earth.  I've also heard of many other explanations: everything
from near-by supernovas to aliens.

I would appreciate any information on this phenomenon as well as
current hypotheses explaining it.  Thanks.


      Robert Brumley
POST: 4661 S. Vivian St.
      Morrison, CO  80465
      (303) 978-1838
 
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