<
https://theconversation.com/around-250-million-years-ago-earth-was-near-lifeless-and-locked-in-a-hothouse-state-now-scientists-know-why-260203>
"Some 252 million years ago, almost all life on Earth disappeared.
Known as the Permian–Triassic mass extinction – or the Great Dying – this was
the most catastrophic of the five mass extinction events recognised in the past
539 million years of our planet’s history.
Up to 94% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate families were
wiped out. Tropical forests – which served, as they do today, as important
carbon sinks that helped regulate the planet’s temperature – also experienced
massive declines.
Scientists have long agreed this event was triggered by a sudden surge in
greenhouse gases which resulted in an intense and rapid warming of Earth. But
what has remained a mystery is why these extremely hot conditions persisted for
millions of years.
Our new paper, published today in
Nature Communications, provides an answer.
The decline of tropical forests locked Earth in a hothouse state, confirming
scientists’ suspicion that when our planet’s climate crosses certain “tipping
points”, truly catastrophic ecological collapse can follow."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
