Sun Sep 15 10:31:40 UTC 2024: ## Mega El Niño Likely Fueled the Great Dying, New Research Shows

**A new study published in Science reveals that a massive El Niño event, more intense and longer-lasting than anything seen today, may have played a crucial role in the devastating Permian-Triassic extinction event, also known as the Great Dying.** This event, which occurred 252 million years ago, wiped out more than 90% of life on Earth, making it the worst mass extinction in history.

Previous research pointed to volcanic eruptions in the Siberian Traps region as the primary cause of the extinction, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing global warming, acid rain, and ocean acidification. However, this new research suggests that a powerful El Niño amplified these effects, creating alternating periods of intense flooding and scorching droughts that devastated life across the globe.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Leeds, University of Bristol, and China University of Geosciences, used a computer model to simulate the global climate during the late Permian period. The model showed that as temperatures rose, the El Niño events intensified and lengthened, creating a “mega El Niño” that lasted for around 100,000 years.

**These extreme weather events had a devastating impact on both land and sea.** On land, they caused widespread wildfires and made it impossible for many species to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions. In the ocean, they triggered coral bleaching and mass fish die-offs.

**The study also highlights the importance of considering interconnected climate systems.** The mega El Niño would have originated in the Panthalassic Ocean, a vast body of water that was much larger than the Pacific Ocean today, allowing for more heat storage and stronger El Niño effects.

**The research provides a stark reminder of the potential consequences of climate change.** While the conditions that led to the Great Dying are unlikely to be repeated, the study shows how climate change can disrupt ecosystems and cause mass extinctions. It also emphasizes the need to understand the complex interplay of climate factors and their impact on the planet’s life support systems.

Read More