Carnian Pluvial Episode newly identified mass extinction event

In summary, a new mass extinction event has been discovered in the middle Triassic period, caused by massive volcanic eruptions in Northwestern North America. This event led to the dominance of dinosaurs and the extinction of various plant and animal groups, including coral reef ecosystems. The volume of the basalt associated with this event was approximately 1,000,000 km^3, making it smaller than other known extinction events such as the Deccan Traps and the Siberian Traps.
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https://phys.org/news/2020-09-discovery-mass-extinction.html
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-discovery-mass-extinction.html

This article discusses a newly identified extinction event that occurred in middle Triassic. Mammals appeared at the end of the event, dinosaurs which were rare, became the dominant animal group. The cause was massive eruptions in what is now Northwestern North America, driving the temperatures up, rainfall down, and an extinction of existing terrestrial and marine plant and animal groups. For example, coral reef ecosystems became extant.
 
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Looking at the paper, 1,000,000 km^3 of basalt is about the same volume as the Deccan Traps

Smaller than the NJ Palisades, associated with the end-Triassic extinction which was 2–3M km^3 and of course the Siberian Traps, associated with the Permian extinction at 4M km^3
 
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1. What is the Carnian Pluvial Episode?

The Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) is a newly identified mass extinction event that occurred during the late Carnian stage of the Triassic period, approximately 233 million years ago. It is characterized by a sudden increase in global temperatures and intense rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and major changes in the Earth's climate and ecosystems.

2. What caused the Carnian Pluvial Episode?

The exact cause of the CPE is still under debate, but it is believed to be triggered by a combination of volcanic activity, changes in ocean circulation, and the release of large amounts of methane from the seafloor. These events led to a significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, causing a greenhouse effect and rapid global warming.

3. How long did the Carnian Pluvial Episode last?

The CPE is estimated to have lasted for approximately 1 million years, making it one of the shorter mass extinction events in Earth's history. However, its effects on the planet's climate and biodiversity were significant and long-lasting, leading to major changes in the evolution of plants and animals.

4. What impact did the Carnian Pluvial Episode have on life on Earth?

The CPE had a major impact on life on Earth, causing widespread extinctions of both terrestrial and marine species. It also led to the diversification of surviving species, as they adapted to the new environmental conditions. The CPE is considered to be a key event in the evolution of dinosaurs, as it allowed them to thrive and dominate the Earth in the following Jurassic period.

5. How is the Carnian Pluvial Episode studied by scientists?

Scientists study the CPE through various methods, including analyzing sedimentary records, fossil evidence, and geochemical data. They also use computer models to simulate the environmental changes that occurred during the event. Ongoing research on the CPE is helping scientists better understand the causes and consequences of this mass extinction event and its implications for the future of our planet.

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