Permian-Triassic Extinction: The End-Permian Die-Off
c. 252 MYA · Prehistoric
Over a span of roughly 60,000 years at the Permian-Triassic boundary, approximately 81% of marine species, 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species, and 57% of biological families went extinct. Massive flood basalt eruptions forming the Siberian Traps released enormous volumes of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, driving ocean acidification, global temperature spikes, and widespread ocean anoxia. The event eliminated an estimated 96% of marine species and caused the most severe known loss of insect diversity.
Locations
Siberian Traps
Topics
paleontologyTriassic periodocean acidificationmass extinctionSiberian TrapsPermian periodvolcanic gas emissions
Connected Events — 4 Connections
Occurred when continental landmasses were assembled into Pangaea, concentrating volcanic and climate effects Formation of Pangaea
Destroyed much of the marine biodiversity that had diversified since the Cambrian radiation Cambrian Explosion
The Ordovician extinction was the second-largest mass extinction in Earth's history, surpassed only by the Permian-Triassic die-off 193 million years later Late Ordovician Glaciation and Mass Extinction
Both events were driven by massive volcanic CO₂ emissions causing ocean anoxia and marine extinction, though the Permian-Triassic event was far more severe Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 Triggers the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum
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