 |


|
 |
Item Details
Title:
|
WHEN LIFE NEARLY DIED
THE GREATEST MASS EXTINCTION OF ALL TIME |
By: |
Michael J. Benton |
Format: |
Hardback |

List price:
|
£18.95 |
We currently do not stock this item, please contact the publisher directly for
further information.
|
|
|
|
|
ISBN 10: |
050005116X |
ISBN 13: |
9780500051160 |
Publisher: |
THAMES & HUDSON LTD |
Pub. date: |
10 March, 2003 |
Pages: |
336 |
Description: |
As well as documenting the mass extinction that took place at the end of the Permian period, around 251 million years ago, this volume also presents a history of developing ideas and explains how we know what we know about geology and palaeontology. |
Synopsis: |
There have been five big mass extinctions in the history of the Earth. One 65 million years ago wiped out the dinosaurs, but the greatest of all happened around 251 million years ago, at the end of the Permian period. In this cataclysm at least 90 per cent of life was killed, both on land and in the sea, almost bringing evolution to a halt. What caused destruction on such an unimaginable scale? Was the impact of a huge meteorite, or prolonged volcanic eruption in Siberia? The evidence is assembled and Michael Benton gives his verdict. "When Life Nearly Died" does more than document this catastrophic event - it is also a history of developing ideas, explaining how we know what we know about geology and palaeontology, and laying bare the arguments and egos of scientists. Benton shows that this is not an arcane story of interest only to the scientific community - the implications of this mass extinction millions of years ago for the present-day biodiversity crisis are very relevant, so that the past can truly be a guide to the present and future life on Earth. |
Illustrations: |
46 illustrations |
Publication: |
UK |
Imprint: |
Thames & Hudson Ltd |
Returns: |
Non-returnable |
|
|
|
 |


|

|

|

|

|
No Cheese, Please!
A fun picture book for children with food allergies - full of friendship and super-cute characters!Little Mo the mouse is having a birthday party.

|
My Brother Is a Superhero
Luke is massively annoyed about this, but when Zack is kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, Luke and his friends have only five days to find him and save the world...

|

|

|
|
 |