This research will examine the global extinction of the Inoceramidae. The work will focus on the stratigraphic distribution of both clam fragments in deep sea cores and body fossils from land based sections. In addition, sedimentological observations will be used to try to constrain possible forcing mechanisms for the extinction. The major pulse of the Inoceramidae extinction seems to have occurred at least two million years prior to the K/T boundary event. This work, thus, should provide information regarding ecological conditions prior to an event which resulted in the extinction of over 50% of all species on earth.