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The Siberian Traps and the End-Permian mass extinction: a critical review

  • Review/Geology
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

The association between the Siberian Traps, the largest continental flood basalt province, and the largest-known mass extinction event at the end of the Permian period, has been strengthened by recently- published high-precision 40Ar/39Ar dates from widespread localities across the Siberian province[1]. We argue that the impact of the volcanism was amplified by the prevailing late Permian environmental conditions—in particular, the hothouse climate, with sluggish oceanic circulation, that was leading to widespread oceanic anoxia. Volcanism released large masses of sulphate aerosols and carbon dioxide, the former triggering short-duration volcanic winters, the latter leading to long-term warming. Whilst the mass of CO2 released from individual eruptions was small compared with the total mass of carbon in the atmosphere-ocean system, the long ‘mean lifetime’ of atmospheric CO2, compared with the eruption flux and duration, meant that significant accumulation could occur over periods of 105 years. Compromise of the carbon sequestration systems (by curtailment of photosynthesis, destruction of biomass, and warming and acidification of the oceans) probably led to rapid atmospheric CO2 build-up, warming, and shallow-water anoxia, leading ultimately to mass extinction.

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  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom

    Andy Saunders & Marc Reichow

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Supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, UK (Grant No. NE/C003276)

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Saunders, A., Reichow, M. The Siberian Traps and the End-Permian mass extinction: a critical review. Chin. Sci. Bull. 54, 20–37 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0543-7

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