Great extinction of the earth, what the fossils tell us in the end we will do

The worst environmental disaster in the history of the planet – Great extinction earth, what fossils

When it comes to mass extinctionoften think about dinosaurs.. In addition, Ma the most serious biological crisis of the earth happened first. In addition, about 250 million years agoal confine between the permian and the triassic.

That event. Consequently, known as Great extinctioncaused the disappearance of 80-90% of marine species and many land forms of life. Furthermore, According to the most accredited theories. Furthermore, to unleash the catastrophe was an intense volcanic activity in Siberiawhich released huge quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

So far, however, it was not clear why the global warming of the great extinction earth, what fossils time is Durated millions of years. In addition, A recent study published on Nature Communications And led by scientists from the University of Leeds. China University of Geosciences has finally found an answer.

Fossils reveal the key role of forests

The researchers analyzed Rock. fossils from all over the world: China, Siberia, the United States, Europe, South Africa, Australia, Antarctica and Argentine. A surprising data emerged from the analyzes: during the great extinction, tropical forests collapsed.

This collapse had a crucial consequence: The forests were no longer able to absorb excess CO₂. Plants. in fact, perform a vital function: through photosynthesis, they capture carbon dioxide (removing it from great extinction earth, what fossils the atmosphere) and transform it into carbon -rich compounds. Without them, The carbon cycle stops.

The result? The greenhouse effect has remained for at least five million yearsaggravating the climatic crisis of that time.

If the past repeats itself, we are in trouble

Today the situation is different, but the risks are similar. The origin of modern pollution are not volcanoes. but human activities: massive use of fossil fuels, deforestation, intensive agriculture, industry and vehicular traffic. All this is increasing the levels of CO₂ at a rhythm never seen before.

Second Benjamin Millsteacher of the University of Leeds And co -author of the study. if the tropical forests of today were to collapse as in the past, the climate would great extinction earth, what fossils not even cool down if we zeroed all the emissions.

The reason is that The carbon cycle would be deeply alteredand bringing it back to balance may take geological times. that is millions of years.

The earth has already warned us once

The data collected by scientists show that Events such as the great extinction of the Permian-Triassic are not only ancient history.
Fossils. rocks retain the memory of a crazy climateof collapsed forests and a planet that has used whole eras to return to normal.

This research Strengthen the concept of climate non -return points: thresholds beyond which we cannot go back easily.

If tropical forests collapse again, we may no longer have control of climatic balance! And this time, to tell how it great extinction earth, what fossils went, it will not be the fossils, but we.