The following table shows data about the types of fossils found in certain sedimentary rock layers from the surface down to the lowest rock layer (Rock Layer E):
Rock Layer Fossils Found
Surface None
A A1, A2, B2, B3
B B1, B2, B3
C C1, C2, D2, E2, E3
D D1, D2, E2, E3
E E1, E2, E3
Based on this fossil record data, between which two rock layers does there appear to have been a mass extinction event?
Based on the data provided, there appears to have been a mass extinction event between Rock Layers C and D, as many different types of fossils are found in Layer C and Layer D, but relatively few are found in the layers above and below them. This suggests that a significant event occurred during the time period between the deposition of these two layers, leading to the loss of many different species.
Based on the fossil record data, there appears to have been a mass extinction event between rock layers C and D. This is because the fossils found in rock layer C (C1, C2, D2, E2, E3) are different from the fossils found in rock layer D (D1, D2, E2, E3). In other words, the presence of C1 and C2 fossils in layer C and the absence of these fossils in layer D suggests a significant change in the species composition and a potential mass extinction event.
To determine the rock layers between which a mass extinction event seems to have occurred based on the provided fossil record data, we need to look for any significant changes or absences in the types of fossils found.
In this case, we can observe that there is a significant absence of fossils at the surface layer (Rock Layer Surface). This suggests that there may have been an extinction event between the surface layer and the layer immediately below it (Rock Layer A).
Therefore, the rock layers between which there appears to have been a mass extinction event are Surface and A.