Volcanic eruptions millions of years apart wiped out much of life on Earth. Massive volcanic eruptions millions of years apart caused two mass extinctions during the Middle Permian Period, according to a study of uranium isotope profiles in marine samples. The findings highlight the potential effec
An international team of researchers has found evidence suggesting that two mass extinctions, approximately 259 million and 262 million years ago during the Middle Permian Period, were caused by massive volcanic eruptions. The scientists studied uranium isotope profiles of marine samples collected in the South China Sea, which revealed two “pulses” where the oceans were deprived of life-giving oxygen.
By studying uranium isotope profiles of marine samples collected in the South China Sea, scientists identified two “pulses” in which the oceans became deprived of life-giving oxygen., researchers say their analysis provides evidence that the oxygen-deprived oceans precipitated two mass extinctions around 259 million and 262 million years ago during the Middle Permian Period.
“Today, we are facing several global change issues, including global warming, ocean hypoxia, seawater acidification, and biodiversity decline, which are similar to the environmental changes during the Middle Permian biological crisis interval,” Song said. “The ocean is teetering on the edge of anoxia,” he said of this absence of oxygen. “Dissolved oxygen has to be taken up by the surface layer and supplied to the deep ocean. But warmer water is lower density. When you increase the density differential, you prevent any overturn and there’s no way to get dissolved oxygen into the deeper layers.”
Scientists say the volcanic eruptions that caused the great dying originated in Siberia. The eruptions that caused the twin mass extinctions in the Permian took place in southwest China in a place known as the Emeishan Large Igneous Province.Thomas Algeo, UC College of Arts and Sciences
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