The "Mass Extinctions" CD interactive book contents:
A reference database consisting of 618 articles, books, journals and newspaper stories concerning extinction. (And growing...with current updates) The database can be printed for research papers or other related projects. 50 plus quick time movie interviews with the foremost scientists in extinction related subjects including: Paleobotany, Paleontology, Geology, Astro-physics, fossil preparation, Biology, Statistical Science, Taphonomy, Morphology, Crater Dating, Neutron Activation Analysis and time dating sciences. Complete text of 20 plus scientists allow the user to read all of each interview with the technical information unabridged. Prepared questions asked by students and science teachers (grade level 4th year grammer school to college level) are answered by the scientists for educational purposes. This database is also printable. A fossil collection and geological locations interface.

SCIENCE BOOKS AND FILMS MARCH, 1998

CHAPTER 1: THE DINOSAURS DISAPPEAR. (Prod.: Robert Dunlap; from the Mass Extinctions Series.) Color. 24 min. Video: (series, 4 programs)
YA-T, GA Ac
This video clearly distinguishes between extinction (the loss of species) and speciation (the appearance of new species). The video is not suitable for instructional purposes; rather, it is appropriate for giving teenagers and adults who view it an overview of the mass extinctions that have occurred on the earth since life began. The presentation focuses on the disappearance of the dinosaurs and gives considerable evidence of a great collision of the earth with a giant asteroid or comet about 65 million years ago. There is evidence that the dinosaurs inhabited the entire planet for 160 million years and disappeared over a year's time. Scientists discuss their current searches for the location where the asteroid or comet collided with the earth and offer support for the notion that one or two impacts occurred in North America, most likely near the Yucatan peninsula. Evidence is also presented that purportedly shows the changes in flora resulting from the impact. The enormous collision probably stirred up significant amounts of dust, which destroyed the existing food chains. Viewers will be surprised to learn that the impact was so great that is released more energy than would result from an explosion of all the nuclear stockpiles in the world at one time. The photography is good and the narrator is excellent. However, some of the presentations by the scientists are only fair. The target population of the video is not clear.--Donald Schwartz, Emeritus, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

CHAPTER 2: KILLER VOLCANOES AND SUPERNOVA. (Prod.: Robert Dunlap; from the Mass Extinctions Series.) Color. 28 min.
YA-T, GA Ac
This second of four videos covering the extinction of species is more detailed and descriptive than the first. The five great extinctions of life on earth are discussed in some detail, and several theories as to why the extinctions took place are proposed. Although the estimated age of the earth is 4.7 billion years, and the age of the oldest land on earth is about 4 billion years, life in the ocean began about 3 billion years ago. The five great extinctions date from 440 million years ago to the disappearance of the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago. Some of the 80 theories of extinction that are briefly discussed include continental drift, glaciation, a supernova, a drop in sea level, volcanic dust, and impacts of the earth with giant asteroids and comets. Some of the figures given in the video will astonish the viewer. For example, (1) 4 billion species of life have inhabited the earth, but today there are only 1 million; (2) the extinction that occurred 250 million years ago exterminated 96% of life on the planet; and (3) in the time the program was seen by the viewer, 12 species became extinct. This video should have a broader audience appeal than part 1 does, and it can be used to supplement existing tests in biology, geology, and other courses. The quality of the film is satisfactory.--Donald Schwartz, Emeritus, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

CHAPTER 3; MAN, THE DEADLY PREDATOR. (Prod.: Robert Dunlap; from the Mass Extinctions Series.) Color. 25 min. Video:
YA-T, GA Ac
This video does not add very much to the first two reels. Only the last part of the tape deals with the title, Man, the Deadly Predator. The first part presents convincing evidence of the existence of various species of dinosaur in Utah, Alaska, and other North American locales. Some discussion is offered regarding the 26-million-year interval between mass extinctions lesser in magnitude than the five major ones. A number of scientists feel that the earth is now entering an interval of extinctions caused by humans. About 10,000 years ago, large mammals such as mastodons and others became extinct--possibly due to humans or the end of the ice age, upon which there ensued a warmer and drier atmosphere, especially in North America. The top of the food chain probably disappeared first. Also, many animals perished in tar pits formed at that time. This reel of the Mass Extinctions series could have been included in part 2, just as some of part 2 is included in part 1. Teenagers and adults may find the video informative. The photography and sound are satisfactory.--Donald Schwartz, Emeritus, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

CHAPTER 4: THE BEGINNING...OR THE END? (Prod.: Robert Dunlap; from the Mass Extinctions Series.) Color. 24 min. Video:
YA-T, GA *
This, the final entry of a four-part video series, deals with the last great mass extinction, which is now underway. Whereas past mass extinctions were caused by impacts of the earth with giant asteroids and comets, volcanoes, continental drift, etc., the present one is caused by humans. We alone are responsible for deforestation, degeneration of the ozone layer, global warming, the greenhouse effect, poisoning our waters, and more. Over 50% of the species now living on earth will disappear during the next 25 years. The biggest culprit is overpopulation: People cause our environmental ills, and as the prey disappears, so does the predator. This last video of four is by far the most interesting and well defined. The first three could have been combined into one or two videos. Chapter 4: The Beginning...or the End? will be of interest to a much larger audience than will any of the first three. Elementary school students through senior citizens will find the video stimulating and informative. The photography and audio are satisfactory.--Donald Schwartz, Emeritus, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

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