Question

which of the following diagrams shows evidence of a mass extinction event caused by extreme volcanic activity on earth’s surface? choose 1 answer: a shallower deeper b shallower deeper c shallower deeper

Explanation:

To identify a mass extinction event from volcanic activity, we look for a distinct layer (volcanic ash, black layer here) separating fossil - rich (deeper, pre - extinction) and fossil - poor (shallower, post - extinction) layers. In option A, the deeper layer (brown) has many fossils, the shallow layer (yellow) has few, separated by a black layer (volcanic ash). Option B has the black layer at the bottom (deeper), so the fossil - rich layer is above the ash, not post - extinction. Option C has the yellow (fossil - poor) layer deeper, which is inconsistent with sedimentation (deeper layers are older). So A shows a pre - extinction fossil - rich layer, a volcanic layer, and a post - extinction fossil - poor layer, indicating mass extinction after volcanic activity.

Answer:

A. The diagram where the deeper (brown) layer has many fossils, a black layer (volcanic ash) separates it from the shallower (yellow) layer with few fossils.