For most of Earth’s history, life has existed here. Due to the absence of oxygen in the atmosphere, the earliest life was limited to bacteria. When some bacteria evolved the ability to use the energy of sunlight to make their food, oxygen began to accumulate in Earth’s atmosphere. As oxygen became more abundant, some organisms were able to grow larger and leave behind body parts that would decompose slowly and form fossils. Thus, scientists can track time within Earth’s history by the appearance and disappearance of fossils. When many types of organisms disappear at the same time in large numbers, scientists can interpret that as a mass extinction event. Currently, we can observe a sixth such extinction directly by the disappearance of living organisms and we can better understand the causes of this event. 

This program is free of charge. No beach pass is required if you are attending the Fred Elser First Sunday Science. Please let them know at the gate you are attending the Bruce museum seaside center lecture. First Sunday Science programs take place at the Floren Family Environmental Center at Innis Arden Cottage, Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich, CT.