Re: Extinction (was Jurassic Intelligence)

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.ATTGIS.COM>]

 From: Phillip Bigelow <n8010095@henson.cc.wwu.edu>
 > 
 > This begs a question, however: 
 >   If "wide geographic distribution" =~ survival (or better odds of it), then 
 > doesn't this argue *against* world-wide catastrophism in most big 
 > extinctions?

No, all it means is more chances to survive in at least *one* small
enclave of survival.  (Look at survival patterns around Mt. St.
Helens - outside of the main ashfall, but *inside* the primary
blast zone, there were even stands of trees that survived - behind
protecting mountain ridges, and of course animals of many sorts
survived in these enclaves).

Locally distributed animals will simply have less chance of being in
a survival locality than one that is global, and is therefore already
*in* more places.

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.