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What caused the five past mass extinctions?
| Approx. date | Impact | Likely cause |
|---|---|---|
| 65 million years ago |
Wiped out the dinosaurs and nearly half of the major groups of marine animals | Asteroid |
| 207 million years ago |
Extinction of nearly 50% of all marine families | Undersea volcano |
| 251 million years ago |
Extinction 95% of species on planet | Volcanic eruption or asteroid |
| 364 million years ago |
Extinction of 22% of all marine families | Unknown |
| 439 million years ago |
Extinction of 25% of all marine families | A fall in sea level as glaciers formed |