Around 252 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia released an estimated 100,000 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This prolonged volcanic activity lasted for over a million years and had catastrophic effects on the planet's climate.
The end-Permian extinction is recognized as the deadliest mass extinction event in Earth's history, resulting in the extinction of approximately 90% of marine species. This crisis was not merely a result of a single catastrophic event but rather a complex interplay of volcanic activity, climate shifts, and ecological stressors.
Researchers emphasize that the end-Permian extinction was a multifaceted crisis, with the marine biosphere being pushed beyond its limits due to the changing climate and the overwhelming emissions from the volcanic eruptions.