An introductory course on a long-term perspective of extinction events throughout earth’s history, reminding us of the fragility of the planet's ecosystems. Looking back over the last 450 million years of earth’s history we will go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to mass extinctions that were even more devastating.
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This course examines some aspects of our current climate crisis and of the 5 mass extinctions that ravaged the earth over the last 450 million years. It will give you an appreciation for the fragility of ecosystems, which can be disrupted by even the smallest change. You will also learn how scientists date rocks and how they know these extinction events took place. Scientists have not entirely explained the causes of these events and a number of possibilities will be examined for each period. This is an opportunity for you to go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to planetary history that featured some of the most devastating mass extinctions.
What will we cover?
- The Holocene Extinction Event: Present Day - The Extinction of the Dinosaurs: 65 million years ago - The Triassic-Jurassic Extinction Event: 200 million years ago - The Great Dying: 250 million years ago - The Kellwasser - Hangenberg Event: 375 million years ago - The Ordovician-Silurian Extinction Event: 450 million years ago.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- List the major extinction events - Describe the key evidence that sheds light on these events - Explain the mechanisms that contributed to the extinction event - Learn about the fragility of ecosystems throughout prehistory.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory overview, no previous knowledge required,though a good level of English will help understanding and participation in class.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Combination of presentation, discussion and materials to view.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please do bring a notepad and pen.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
For other Science courses, please check our City Lit website: Science & Nature.
Dr. Gary Retallick Mathematics and Science Gary obtained his Phd in Philosophy of Physics from Kings College London in 2006. His thesis explored the physics of time, touching upon relativity, field equations, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and metaphysics. Gary began his teaching career in computing, going on to teach philosophy for the WEA and Mary Ward Centre, and physics and mathematics at both Birkbeck College London and the Open University. He currently teaches various science related courses, spanning topics in physics, chemistry and mathematics, at City Lit. Languages - Cornish Aside from his career in Science, Gary has an ongoing interest in languages, in particular Cornish, the language of his ancestors. He began studying Cornish at City Lit in 1998, and after passing the grade three Cornish exam with distinction he started to assist his tutor, Jo P'rhys. After a number of years as language assistant to the class, Gary was formally appointed as teacher of the Cornish beginners class, allowing Jo to concentrate on the higher level classes. Gary now teaches both the beginners and lower intermediate classes.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/earth-s-six-major-mass-extinctions-an-introduction176607Earth's six major mass extinctions: an introductionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/s/hs210_1.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Business, marketing & technology/Courses/Business, marketing & technology/Science & nature/Geology/Courses/Business, marketing & technology/Science & nature/Courses/vm/Nature, environment and the Arts/Courses/vm/Environment & Sustainability2285121112391666133911366912285121116661653<p>An introductory course on a long-term perspective of extinction events throughout earth’s history, reminding us of the fragility of the planet's ecosystems. Looking back over the last 450 million years of earth’s history we will go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to mass extinctions that were even more devastating.</p> This course examines some aspects of our current climate crisis and of the 5 mass extinctions that ravaged the earth over the last 450 million years. It will give the student an appreciation for the fragility of ecosystems, which can be disrupted by even the smallest change. You will also learn how scientists date rocks and how they know these extinction events took place. Scientists have not entirely explained the causes of these events and a number of possibilities will be examined for each period. This is an opportunity for the student to go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to planetary history that featured some of the most devastating mass extinctions.353031561Earth's six major mass extinctions: an introduction7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/s/hs210_1_6.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-12-05T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersDec 2026Business, marketing & technologyHS2857979Earth's six major mass extinctions: an introduction635179Gary Retallickearth-s-six-major-mass-extinctions-an-introduction/hs285-2627<p>An introductory course on a long-term perspective of extinction events throughout earth’s history, reminding us of the fragility of the planet's ecosystems. Looking back over the last 450 million years of earth’s history we will go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to mass extinctions that were even more devastating.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-05 00:00:00This course examines some aspects of our current climate crisis and of the 5 mass extinctions that ravaged the earth over the last 450 million years. It will give you an appreciation for the fragility of ecosystems, which can be disrupted by even the smallest change. You will also learn how scientists date rocks and how they know these extinction events took place. Scientists have not entirely explained the causes of these events and a number of possibilities will be examined for each period. This is an opportunity for you to go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to planetary history that featured some of the most devastating mass extinctions.<p>An introductory course on a long-term perspective of extinction events throughout earth’s history, reminding us of the fragility of the planet's ecosystems. Looking back over the last 450 million years of earth’s history we will go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to mass extinctions that were even more devastating.</p>- The Holocene Extinction Event: Present Day<br>- The Extinction of the Dinosaurs: 65 million years ago<br>- The Triassic-Jurassic Extinction Event: 200 million years ago<br>- The Great Dying: 250 million years ago<br>- The Kellwasser - Hangenberg Event: 375 million years ago<br>- The Ordovician-Silurian Extinction Event: 450 million years ago.- List the major extinction events<br>- Describe the key evidence that sheds light on these events<br>- Explain the mechanisms that contributed to the extinction event<br>- Learn about the fragility of ecosystems throughout prehistory.This is an introductory overview, no previous knowledge required,though a good level of English will help understanding and participation in class.Combination of presentation, discussion and materials to view.Please do bring a notepad and pen.For other Science courses, please check our City Lit website: Science & Nature.Science & natureGeologyvirtual637951HS285NONESat05/12/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetGary RetallickBeginnersAvailable courses2026-12-05T00:00:00+00:00Dec 2026Business, marketing & technology7979Earth's six major mass extinctions: an introductionearth-s-six-major-mass-extinctions-an-introduction/hs285-2627<p>An introductory course on a long-term perspective of extinction events throughout earth’s history, reminding us of the fragility of the planet's ecosystems. Looking back over the last 450 million years of earth’s history we will go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to mass extinctions that were even more devastating.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-05 00:00:00This course examines some aspects of our current climate crisis and of the 5 mass extinctions that ravaged the earth over the last 450 million years. It will give you an appreciation for the fragility of ecosystems, which can be disrupted by even the smallest change. You will also learn how scientists date rocks and how they know these extinction events took place. Scientists have not entirely explained the causes of these events and a number of possibilities will be examined for each period. This is an opportunity for you to go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to planetary history that featured some of the most devastating mass extinctions.<p>An introductory course on a long-term perspective of extinction events throughout earth’s history, reminding us of the fragility of the planet's ecosystems. Looking back over the last 450 million years of earth’s history we will go beyond the extinction of the dinosaurs to mass extinctions that were even more devastating.</p>- The Holocene Extinction Event: Present Day<br>- The Extinction of the Dinosaurs: 65 million years ago<br>- The Triassic-Jurassic Extinction Event: 200 million years ago<br>- The Great Dying: 250 million years ago<br>- The Kellwasser - Hangenberg Event: 375 million years ago<br>- The Ordovician-Silurian Extinction Event: 450 million years ago.- List the major extinction events<br>- Describe the key evidence that sheds light on these events<br>- Explain the mechanisms that contributed to the extinction event<br>- Learn about the fragility of ecosystems throughout prehistory.This is an introductory overview, no previous knowledge required,though a good level of English will help understanding and participation in class.Combination of presentation, discussion and materials to view.Please do bring a notepad and pen.For other Science courses, please check our City Lit website: Science &amp; Nature.Science & natureGeologyconfigurable
