Known as the greatest mass extinction event on Earth.
Affected 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates.
Pre-Extinction Earth Conditions
Atmosphere: Oxygen levels at 23%, CO2 at 900 ppm.
Temperature: Average surface temperature was 16°C.
Sea Levels: 60 meters below present levels.
Climate Variance: Earth was transitioning out of an ice age.
Formation of Pangea
Led to vast desert formation on Earth due to rain clouds not reaching inland.
Two major deserts formed on Pangea.
Reptilian Dominance
Early Permian saw rise of reptiles like Dimetrodons.
Adaptation to the dry desert environment.
Extinction Event
Occurred over 150,000 years.
No single cause identified; multiple factors likely involved.
Possible Causes
Volcanic Activity: The Siberian Traps
Located in Siberia, Russia.
One of the largest known volcanic eruptions.
Eruptions lasted over 2 million years.
Effects of the Eruptions
Lava Coverage: Enough to cover an area the size of the mainland United States.
Ash and Gas Release: Led to global volcanic ash fallout.
Sulfur Dioxide: Mixed with water, causing acid rain.
Environmental Consequences
Deforestation: Volcanic ash and acid rain destroyed vegetation.
Carbon Dioxide Surge: Levels increased to 2000 ppm, leading to a 5°C rise in global temperatures.
Marine Life: Oceans warmed, became oxygen-deprived, destabilizing marine ecosystems.
Methane Release
Methane hydrate deposits melted, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Resulted in an additional 6°C temperature rise.
Resulting Environmental Catastrophe
Overall temperature increased by 11°C.
93% of Earth’s biodiversity went extinct.
Earth’s average temperature stabilized at 42°C.
Near-runaway greenhouse effect scenario.
Recovery and Aftermath
Siberian eruptions continued for 500,000 years.
Earth's recovery took millions of years:
2 million years for temperature normalization.
5 million years for vegetation return.
10 million years for biodiversity recovery.
Dinosaurs rose as dominant species in the Triassic period.
Conclusion
The Great Dying was initiated by a chain of events starting with a massive volcanic eruption, leading to catastrophic environmental changes and mass extinction.