Mass Extinction Linked to Powerful El Niño Cycle
Scientists have uncovered a shocking link between a massive release of carbon dioxide and the largest mass extinction event in Earth’s history, which wiped out 90 percent of all species around 250 million years ago. The research suggests that a powerful El Niño cycle, fueled by volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia, played a crucial role in the devastating climate changes that led to the extinction.
The Siberian Traps, a series of massive volcanic rifts, spewed vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing extreme climate heating and a series of long-lasting and severe El Niño events. This phenomenon pushed temperatures far beyond the boundaries that life had adapted to for thousands of years, forcing species to the brink of extinction.
On land, the destruction of forests that absorbed carbon dioxide worsened the atmospheric crisis, while on the oceans, the weakening of the temperature gradient between the western and eastern parts of Panthalassa, an ancient ocean, made it impossible for most marine life to survive. Tropical waters reached scorching temperatures of 40°C, further exacerbating the extinction event.
The study’s lead author, Yadong Sun, an earth scientist at the China University of Geosciences, noted that the rapid pace at which humans are adding carbon to the atmosphere could potentially lead to similar destabilizing effects. While the carbon dioxide levels during the Permian period were much higher than today’s 419 ppm, the consequences of unchecked climate change are still a pressing concern.
The findings of this research hold significant implications for today’s climate crisis, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked climate change. As the world grapples with the challenges of global warming, this study serves as a powerful warning of the catastrophic consequences of ignoring the signs of climate change.
