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The term mass extinction (or extinction event) refers to a relatively short period in the history of Earth when many species went extinct. These are of astrophysical interest in investigating possible astrophysical causes such as impacts or solar events (gamma-ray bursts, i.e., GRBs from relatively nearby progenitors have also been proposed, but if that occurred, evidence may well be scant). Mass extinctions from geological events can be of interest regarding the study of other bodies (solar system planets and moons and extra-solar planets) regarding their habitability, and the effects of such events upon astrobiology.
There are twenty some very clear Earth events, such as the one associated with the disappearance of dinosaurs, and in a few cases an asteroid impact is suspected. Details of how impacts caused extinction are a subject of study. In addition to the impact location itself, major tsunami are possible, forest/vegetation fires possibly at great distances, and changes to the atmosphere possibly lasting years.