Strong El Niño cycles caused by massive carbon dioxide emissions may have contributed to Earth’s largest mass extinction at the end of the Permian period about 250 million years ago, according to a new study. Volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia have released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and caused dramatic climate changes. These changes led to the extinction of 90% of species on Earth. Although these past events are rare, they have profound implications for today’s climate crisis.
The effects of the eruption of the Siberian volcano
The eruption of the Siberian Traps, a series of huge volcanic fissures, released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This phenomenon led to extreme warming of the climate and a series of long-lasting and intense El Niño events.
Alex Farnsworth, a paleoclimate modeler at the University of Bristol, told Live Science that temperatures during this period were far above what life had adapted to for thousands of years, and that this pushed species over the edge. On land, forests that absorb carbon dioxide have been destroyed, worsening the climate crisis.
The effects of climate change on oceans and land
The study’s lead author, Yadong Sun, a geologist at the China University of Geosciences, found that the temperature gradient between the western and eastern parts of Panthalassa, an ancient ocean, weakened during the warming period. The ocean has become too warm for most marine life to survive, especially as temperatures in tropical waters have reached 40 degrees Celsius. On land, forest-dependent animals struggled to survive as extreme heat and loss of vegetation created feedback loops that worsened survival conditions.
Although carbon dioxide levels were much higher during the Permian than today’s 419 parts per million, humans are adding carbon to the atmosphere at a rate that can have similar destabilizing effects.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
