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Both the lecture and reading hold different positions, respectively, on the issue of whether volcanic activities caused K-T extinction or the asteroid collision did. The lecture’s argument is formed around many points that are in direct to the material in the reading passage.
First off, the reading passage mentions that K-T extinction was triggered by volcanic activities because the semblance of the Deccan Traps indicates outpouring of lava. However, the lecture rebuts this by claiming that the massive extinction was the result of an asteroid collision. She supports this argument with the fact that such massive craters cannot be produced by volcanic activities. The physical features of the craters are actually similar to those of asteroids.
Also, the reading passage argues that the devastating eruption caused dust shoot into the air which cooled the earth and the cooling effect led to KT-extinction. On the other hand, the lecture refutes this by arguing that the result was not precipitated by the eruption because iridium was found in the soil of that period. While iridium is one of major compositions of asteroids, volcanic eruptions do not release this substance.
Finally, the reading passage suggests that coincidence of the Deccan Traps creation and K-T extinction is the proof of its claim. In contrast, the lecture counters this point by pointing out that the formation of the Deccan Traps took over millions of years, the K-T extinction occurred only for thousands of years. Therefore, it is evident that the coincidence cannot be the base of the reading passage’s assertion.
In conclusion, the reading passage presents three aspects with regards to the K-T extinction. However, the lecture makes it clear that none of these points justify the reading passage’s argument. |