Mega El Ninos Linked To Earth's Deadliest Extinction
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13 Sept 2024
Around 252 million years ago, Earth faced a catastrophic extinction event known as the "Great Dying," which wiped out nearly 90% of all life
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New research, led by geologist Yadong Sun, suggests that prolonged and intense climate fluctuations, similar to modern El Nino events, may have worsened the situation
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Using climate models and proxies for seawater temperature, scientists explored how oceanic and atmospheric shifts might have contributed to these mass extinctions
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Volcanic activity in Siberia, which released massive amounts of carbon dioxide, is considered a key factor
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Additionally, microbial blooms in the oceans led to oxygen depletion, further harming marine life
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However, the study also highlights that short-term climate oscillations, like 'mega' El Ninos, could have pushed species beyond their adaptive limits
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These extreme weather fluctuations may have caused widespread ecological losses due to droughts, floods, and temperature changes
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The research provides insight into how modern El Nino events, which are predicted to intensify, could similarly threaten ecosystems today
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Despite the devastation, life eventually rebounded, but the findings remind us of species' vulnerability to climate extremes