Study Links Permian Mass Extinction to 10°C Temperature Spike and Ecosystem Collapse

Volcanic CO2 emissions 252 million years ago triggered global warming, reshaping Earth's biomes and causing the most severe extinction in history.

The Permian-Triassic extinction, known as the 'Great Dying,' wiped out 96% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates 252 million years ago.
Massive volcanic eruptions released 100,000 billion metric tons of CO2, destabilizing the carbon cycle and driving a 10°C rise in global temperatures.
The extinction led to dramatic biome shifts, including the disappearance of tundra and the emergence of tropical and temperate vegetation in polar regions.
Fossilized plant remains reveal that some vegetation adapted to the chaotic climate, providing insights into ecosystem responses to global warming.
Researchers warn that current CO2 emissions could replicate similar catastrophic conditions within 2,700 years if trends continue unchecked.