Overview

• The end-Permian mass extinction wiped out over 90% of marine species and 75% of terrestrial species, making it the most severe extinction event in Earth's history.
• Scientists have long attributed this event to volcanic eruptions in Siberia, which released massive amounts of CO2, leading to rapid global warming.
• New evidence suggests that prolonged and intense mega El Niño events caused extreme climate variability, making it impossible for most species to adapt.
• These mega El Niños caused drastic temperature swings, widespread droughts, and severe flooding, further destabilizing ecosystems.
• The extinction on land occurred tens of thousands of years before marine species were affected, likely due to the inability of land species to migrate quickly enough to cooler areas.