Mass Extinctions in the Marine Fossil Record
Identified five major mass extinction events in Earth's 540-million-year Phanerozoic history
The landmark paper that identified and quantified the 'Big Five' mass extinctions in Earth's history based on marine fossil diversity. This research established the statistical framework for analyzing extinction intensity across geological time, providing the empirical foundation for understanding that mass extinctions are real, recurring events - not gradual background processes.
For business strategy, Raup and Sepkoski's work demonstrates that catastrophic, industry-reshaping events are not anomalies but predictable features of competitive systems. Just as biological mass extinctions occur at identifiable intervals with measurable intensity, business 'mass extinctions' (industry-wide disruptions) follow patterns that can be anticipated and prepared for.
Key Findings from Raup & Jr. (1982)
- Identified five major mass extinction events in Earth's 540-million-year Phanerozoic history
- Quantified extinction intensity at each event (75-96% species loss)
- Established statistical methodology for distinguishing mass extinctions from background extinction rates
- Suggested possible periodicity in mass extinction events