A study co-authored by SFI Faculty Chair Doug Erwin offers new details about the "great dying" 252 million years ago, during which three-quarters of the life on Earth perished.
This extinction, according to the study, was relatively quick (100,000 years, far shorter than earlier estimates) and was likely triggered by volcanic activity that caused a massive shift in climate. This volcanic activity also took place for a much shorter duration (20,000 years) than previously believed.
The authors say their conclusions may hold some important lessons about climate change.
Read the Science paper (November 17, 2011)
Read the Science article (November 17, 2011)
Read the Associated Press article (November 17, 2011)
Read the Huffington Post article (November 17, 2011)
Read The Register (U.K.) article(November 17, 2011)