Study Links Mega El Niños to Earth's Great Dying

Recent research has identified mega El Niño events as a key factor in the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, which occurred 252 million years ago and wiped out over 90% of life on Earth. The study, published in Science, reveals that volcanic eruptions in Siberia released massive amounts of CO2, leading to extreme ocean warming and climate variability that caused severe ecological disruptions. Co-lead author Dr. Alexander Farnsworth emphasized that the combination of rising temperatures and unpredictable climate conditions made survival difficult for many species, both aquatic and terrestrial. The findings highlight that the extinction was driven not just by warming, but by the erratic climate patterns that ensued. This research underscores the importance of understanding historical climate events to address current climate challenges. The implications of these findings raise concerns about future climate stability as global warming persists.