Gamma rays may have devastated life on Earth: Newscientist.com

AI Thread Summary
A recent discussion highlights the theory that a gamma-ray burst (GRB) may have triggered a significant mass extinction event on Earth 443 million years ago. Participants question the existence of trace residues that would indicate such an event, with one contributor referencing their book for further insights. There is curiosity about what specific remnants could be expected from a GRB and whether they would still be detectable today. The conversation emphasizes the need for more data on GRB frequency and energy to understand their potential impact on life. This topic continues to spark interest in the relationship between cosmic events and Earth's biological history.
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What does a frequency vs GRB-energy (integrated gamma energy above the atmosphere) plot look like? There should be enough data collected by now. Extrapolating this, and making some general assumptions about the source distribution, how many 'devastating to life on Earth' GRBs might there have been in the last 1 billion years?
 
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994198

Possibly...however, there would be trace residules left..and there are not. For a better idea (perhaps) read the chapter on reoccurring extinctions from my book "Losing Faith" for a sustainable and provable argument.
 


Originally posted by theEVIL1
Possibly...however, there would be trace residules left..and there are not. For a better idea (perhaps) read the chapter on reoccurring extinctions from my book "Losing Faith" for a sustainable and provable argument.
What 'trace residules' would you expect there to be?
 
That's what I'm wondering as well. surely he doesn't mean left over gamma rays?
 

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