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Related Experiment Videos

Mass extinctions and supernova explosions.

P J Crutzen1, C Brühl

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 20, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Supernova explosions may not cause mass extinctions by depleting ozone. New models show stratospheric ozone depletion from cosmic rays is less severe than previously claimed, with smaller impacts on ultraviolet radiation.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Climate Science

Background:

  • A previous study suggested supernova explosions could trigger mass extinctions.
  • This extinction mechanism was proposed to be driven by galactic cosmic rays enhancing stratospheric nitrogen oxides (NOx).
  • The proposed mechanism predicted severe ozone depletion (95%) and increased harmful solar ultraviolet radiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the impact of supernova-associated galactic cosmic rays on stratospheric ozone.
  • To quantify the extent of ozone depletion and subsequent ultraviolet radiation increase using detailed model calculations.
  • To assess the validity of the proposed supernova-induced mass extinction hypothesis.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed atmospheric model calculations were employed.
  • The study focused on the production of stratospheric nitrogen oxides (NOx) by galactic cosmic rays.
  • Simulations assessed ozone depletions at various latitudes.

Main Results:

  • Model calculations indicate substantially smaller ozone depletions than previously reported.
  • Maximum ozone depletion was calculated to be at most 60% at high latitudes.
  • Ozone depletion at the equator was found to be below 20%.

Conclusions:

  • The predicted severe ozone depletion and subsequent mass extinction risk from supernova explosions are likely overestimated.
  • Galactic cosmic ray-induced NOx production leads to more moderate ozone layer impacts.
  • The findings suggest that supernova events may pose a lesser threat to life through ozone depletion than previously theorized.

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