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Milton Bradley · Oct 12, 2006, 05:47 am

Earth wobbles linked to extinctions - CNN.com

Quote:

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Wobbles or variations in the Earth's orbit and tilt are associated with extinctions of rodent and mammalian species, Dutch scientists said on Wednesday.

They studied rodent fossil records in central Spain dating back 22 million years and found that the rise and fall of mammal species was linked to changes in the Earth's behavior which caused cooling periods.

"Extinctions in rodent species occur in pulses which are spaced by intervals controlled by astronomical variations and their effects on climate change," Dr Jan van Dam, of the Utrecht University in the Netherlands, said.

The researchers found two cycles corresponding to the disappearance of rodent species. One lasts 2.4 million years and is linked to variations in the Earth's orbit. The other is a 1.2 million year cycle relating to shifts in the tilt on the Earth on its axis.

I think this is a fundamental mechanism in why there is such diversity of life on earth, and that our manipulation of the planet is going to make it very difficulat for the surviving species to fill the gaps where we are extincting the species that already fill their bioogical niche.

Well, at least we will likely go down with the ship.

The Architect · Oct 12, 2006, 03:51 pm

It dosent suprise me that one small little thing like that can wipe out an entire species.

**Jack** · Oct 12, 2006, 07:05 pm

You'd think god might have at least mentioned this in his book.

RickSp · Oct 12, 2006, 07:23 pm

Wobbling? Extinction of rodents? No wonder the Bush administration is in denial about climate change

Oct 12, 2006, 07:05 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,223	You'd think god might have at least mentioned this in his book. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Oct 12, 2006, 07:23 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
RickSp Volcanic Erupter Posts: 9,491	Wobbling? Extinction of rodents? No wonder the Bush administration is in denial about climate change Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

Oct 12, 2006, 03:51 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
The Architect Agnostic, Cynic Location: New York Posts: 285	It dosent suprise me that one small little thing like that can wipe out an entire species.