An Alternate to the Siberian Traps

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Siberian Traps and their historical significance, particularly in relation to biotic catastrophes and alternate history narratives. Participants explore the implications of erosion on the landscape and habitat diversity in Russia over millions of years, as well as the development of an alternate history textbook that incorporates these themes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the significant erosion of the Siberian Traps over 252 million years, questioning how this has shaped the current Russian landscape and its biodiversity.
  • Another participant expresses interest in the alternate history textbook being developed, emphasizing the need to verify the cause and effect before finalizing the historical narrative.
  • There is a discussion about the title of the textbook, with one participant suggesting that "Alternate Siberian Traps" is more appropriate than "Alternate to the Siberian Traps," arguing that the latter implies unnecessary inspiration from existing concepts.
  • Some participants inquire about the content and focus of the alternate history narrative, seeking clarification on the story's direction and themes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of interest in the historical implications of the Siberian Traps and the alternate history project. There is no clear consensus on the title of the textbook or the specifics of the narrative being developed, indicating ongoing debate and differing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the implications of erosion on the Siberian Traps or the historical narrative's structure, leaving open questions about the relationship between cause and effect in the alternate history context.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in geology, historical ecology, alternate history narratives, and the implications of significant geological events on biodiversity may find this discussion relevant.

JohnWDailey
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Back home, the catalyst for the worst biotic catastrophe in the world, the Siberian Traps, don't have much left. 252 million years of erosion have reduced the igneous province to a pale shadow of its former self.

From 60 to 43 million years ago (not 252), a series of flood basalt eruptions plagued the northern hemisphere, covering an estimated original area of eleven million square miles and a volume of four million cubic miles.

NWlj880.jpg


40 million years of erosion would mean an altogether different Russian landscape, no doubt, but to what extent? Would we still see vast, singular bands of boreal forests and steppes, or would we expect to see Russia hosting a wider variety of habitats?
 
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JohnWDailey said:
Back home, the catalyst for the worst biotic catastrophe in the world, the Siberian Traps, don't have much left. 252 million years of erosion have reduced the igneous province to a pale shadow of its former self.

From 60 to 43 million years ago (not 252), a series of flood basalt eruptions plagued the northern hemisphere, covering an estimated original area of eleven million square miles and a volume of four million cubic miles.

NWlj880.jpg


40 million years of erosion would mean an altogether different Russian landscape, no doubt, but to what extent? Would we still see vast, singular bands of boreal forests and steppes, or would we expect to see Russia hosting a wider variety of habitats?
What is the book you are writing? Please tell us about it.
 
Evo said:
What is the book you are writing? Please tell us about it.

Is it necessary to quote the whole thread?

It's for an alternate history textbook, but I won't focus on polishing the history until I have the Cause & Effect verified. I've created the Cause, but I don't know the Effect.

Also, the title is "Alternate Siberian Traps", not "Alternate to the Siberian Traps". This unnecessary addition implies that it is inspired by something else and, considering its location, it is redundant.
 
I was just interested in what your story was about.
 
If that is all, then it is an alternate history textbook meant to be a blueprint to stories set in that world (in the same vein that our myths and fairy tales are set in our world.)

Do you know the answer to the provided question?
 

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