The end-Cretaceous mass extinction and the Deccan Traps eruptions

This handout focuses on the evidence for the theory that a series of flood-basalt eruptions in northern India caused the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The dinosaurs and about 75% of all marine invertebrate species and many other organisms died abruptly at this time.

This is one of a set of four articles on possible causes of the Permian and Cretaceous mass extinctions can be used to organize classroom debates or to have students compare and contrast the events and their causes.