ARA team of scientists from Stanford University confirmed the cause of the 'Great Dying,' a mass extinction event during the Paleozoic era that wiped out over half of Earth's species. This event occurred around 252 million years ago at the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods, killing 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial animals. The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences attributes this extinction to repeated volcanic eruptions that released large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, gradually displacing oxygen particles. As a result, nearly all brachiopods—similar to clams and sea lilies—extinct. During the Paleozoic, brachiopods dominated ocean floors, but after the Great Dying, mollusks, fish, and echinoderms like starfish and sea urchins took their place. The process was slow, with ocean temperatures rising gradually over millions of years to between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius, which proved lethal for species unable to adapt. Scientists conducted experiments on modern marine organisms to understand how some species survived past warming events and how they might respond to current climate change.
Bias read (Center): The article discusses a scientific discovery related to a historical mass extinction event. It presents findings from a research paper published in a reputable journal and includes quotes from researchers involved in the study. There is no indication of political bias, framing, or ideological slant.
