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Published on: August 7, 2017
EARTH SCIENCE: Did Volcanoes Drive Ancient Extinctions?
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 11, 2007
Summary
Massive volcanic eruptions 183 million years ago may explain five extinction events. Global warming from these eruptions disrupted ocean-atmosphere systems, suggesting a link between volcanism and mass extinctions.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Geology
- Climate Science
Background:
- Mass extinction events represent significant disruptions in Earth's history.
- The causes of many past extinction events remain uncertain.
- Recent research focuses on linking geological events to biological crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential causes of mass extinctions.
- To explore the correlation between volcanic activity and extinction events.
- To add to the list of extinctions with identified causes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of geological records for evidence of massive lava outpourings.
- Examination of climate proxies indicating global warming and ocean-atmosphere disruption.
- Correlation of extinction event timing with volcanic activity periods.
Main Results:
- Five extinction events show suggestive correlation with massive lava flows.
- These volcanic periods were associated with significant global warming.
- Evidence indicates disruption of ocean-atmosphere systems during these events.
Conclusions:
- Massive volcanic eruptions are strongly implicated as a cause for several extinction events.
- The associated global warming likely destabilized critical Earth systems.
- While not definitively proven for all cases, the coincidental timing suggests a causal link.
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