Quck answer
The Permian Extinction, also known as the Great Dying, was the most severe mass extinction event in Earth’s history. It occurred approximately 252 million years ago and resulted in the extinction of over 90% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species. The cause of the Permian Extinction is still debated, but it is believed to be a combination of volcanic activity, climate change, and oceanic anoxia. The event had a profound impact on the Earth’s ecosystems and took millions of years for biodiversity to recover. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of life on our planet.
We often hear about the demise of dinosaurs, but seldom do we ponder over the rise of these magnificent creatures. What came before dinosaurs? What happened to the animals that preceded them? The extinction of dinosaurs was a mass extinction event. Extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a particular species. The dodo bird, for example, is an animal that has gone extinct in recent times. When multiple species vanish simultaneously, it is known as a mass extinction.
The extinction of dinosaurs was indeed a mass extinction event, but it was not the only one in our planet’s long history. Throughout time, numerous mass extinctions have occurred. Today, we are curious about the Permian extinction: what exactly was it?
The Permian period, which commenced nearly 300 million years ago, predates the age of dinosaurs. During this era, synapsids inhabited the Earth. These creatures resembled a combination of reptiles and mammals, some even likened them to a lizard mixed with a dog! Additionally, there were various marine animals, a wide array of trees, and other plants. Fossils of these plants and animals have been discovered, enabling scientists to determine their existence during that time.
By studying the location of these fossils, scientists have observed that numerous plants and animals ceased to exist simultaneously. Certain time periods show a decrease in fossils due to a decline in living organisms. These plants and animals perished towards the end of the Permian period, roughly 252 million years ago, and the beginning of the Triassic Period. This evidence confirms the occurrence of a mass extinction during the Permian period, regarded as the most devastating mass extinction event in history. It is often referred to as “The Great Dying” due to its immense lethality. Approximately 95 percent of marine life and 70 percent of land life, including plants and animals, perished during this time.
But what caused this catastrophic event? Many scientists believe that the extinction of dinosaurs was caused by an asteroid colliding with Earth. Did a similar event occur during the Permian period? Scientists are still investigating the cause of the Permian extinction. They have noted certain changes in the Earth’s environment around that time. The ocean water, for instance, became warmer, and the oxygen levels decreased, making it extremely challenging for marine animals to survive.
Scientists have proposed various theories to explain these changes. Some suggest that, similar to the extinction of dinosaurs, an asteroid impact could be responsible. Such an impact would have released an enormous amount of dust into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight. The lack of sunlight would result in colder temperatures, causing plants to perish and subsequently leading to the death of animals.
Another theory proposes that ocean currents underwent significant changes, impairing their ability to circulate water effectively. Ocean currents play a crucial role in distributing warm and cold water across the planet. If these currents were disrupted, oxygen levels in the water would decrease, resulting in the death of many marine species.
Another theory suggests that the mass extinction event known as “The Great Dying” was caused by multiple volcanic eruptions. Specifically, there were eruptions in an area called the Siberian Traps, which lasted for thousands of years. Similar to an asteroid impact, these volcanic eruptions may have caused a global cooling effect and resulted in acid rain. Acid rain occurs when there is an excess of certain chemicals in the air, which can lead to the death of plants. Additionally, the volcanoes caused massive fires that released a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over an extended period. This increase in carbon dioxide could have contributed to global warming, making it challenging for both plants and animals to survive.
Therefore, scientists have increasingly come to believe that volcanoes are the most probable cause of the Permian extinction. However, they are still conducting research to gain a better understanding of the events that took place during this mass extinction. Nonetheless, it is known that the extinction event ultimately favored the rise of dinosaurs. As the Earth’s environment changed, reptiles found it more favorable for their survival compared to other animal groups. While many species could not adapt to the new climate, reptiles thrived and eventually replaced the synapsids that came before them. This paved the way for the dominance of dinosaurs on Earth, at least for a period of time.
What are your thoughts on the cause of the Permian extinction? Do you believe such an event could occur again?
Try It Out
If you’re interested in delving deeper into life during the Permian period, why not try out some of these activities with a friend or family member?
- Imagine what life was like on Earth during the Permian extinction. Use your imagination and write a narrative from the perspective of an animal living at that time. What do you observe? What are your thoughts? Afterwards, share your story with a friend or family member.
- Create your own volcano! Follow a guide like the one provided or find another one that suits you. Build a volcano that can “erupt.” Take it outside with a friend or family member to witness the eruption. You can even use toys or play dough to create plants and animals for your scene.
- Embark on a fossil hunting adventure! Scientists use fossils to gain insights into life millions of years ago. Learn more about how fossils are formed, and then search for them with a friend or family member. You can explore your neighborhood, a dry creek bed, or a park. Where do you think you would have the best chance of finding a fossil? What type of fossil do you think you might discover?
Wonder Sources
- https://www.britannica.com/dictionary (accessed 6 Apr., 2023)
- https://www.britannica.com/science/Permian-extinction (accessed 15 Oct., 2022)
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/permian-extinction (accessed 15 Oct., 2022)
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-the-worlds-worst-mass-extinction-set-the-stage-for-dinosaurs (accessed 15 Oct., 2022)
- https://earth.stanford.edu/news/what-caused-earths-biggest-mass-extinction#gs.f730hu (accessed 15 Oct., 2022)
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