New research supports the idea that El Niño played a significant role in the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which occurred about 250 million years ago and resulted in the loss of approximately 90% of species on Earth. Previously attributed mainly to volcanic eruptions in Siberia, this extinction’s causes are more complex. The study suggests that during this period, El Niño events became stronger and extended, lasting nearly a decade due to rising greenhouse gas concentrations from volcanic activity. These prolonged “Mega El Niño” events led to intense heat, drought, and ecological devastation, further exacerbating the extinction rates. This research underscores the relationship between greenhouse gases, El Niño, and climate changes, emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics today as current greenhouse emissions rise, potentially leading to a sixth mass extinction.
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The Great Extinction: Unraveling Life’s Near-Disappearance
