Twin Volcanic Eruptions Caused Ancient Mass Extinctions
A new study suggests that the Capitanian age mass extinction, which occurred 260 million years ago, was actually two events caused by massive volcanic eruptions. The oceans experienced a catastrophic loss of oxygen twice in 3 million years, leading to widespread global extinctions. The findings could explain a major point of confusion about the Permian period, a time overshadowed by its catastrophic ending in the greatest mass extinction event of all. The authors blame immense volcanic eruptions for the mass marine extinction, which would have been replicated on land.