Turpan-Hami Basin Identified as Crucial Refugium During Earth's Largest Mass Extinction

Fossil evidence reveals the survival of diverse plant ecosystems in Xinjiang, China, before, during, and after the End-Permian Mass Extinction 252 million years ago.

• The Turpan-Hami Basin in Xinjiang, China, served as a terrestrial refugium during the End-Permian Mass Extinction, preserving diverse plant ecosystems.
• Fossilized tree trunks, fern stems, and pollen grains confirm that plants thrived in this region for up to 210,000 years after the extinction event.
• The extinction, triggered by massive volcanic eruptions and global warming, wiped out 80-96% of marine species but had a less severe impact on terrestrial life.
• This refugium may have supported the emergence of Mesozoic flora and contributed to the recovery and stability of food chains post-extinction.
• The findings challenge assumptions about uniform terrestrial devastation during mass extinction events and highlight the role of localized ecosystems in biodiversity resilience.

3 Articles

South China Morning Post Ars Technica Gadgets 360