~252 million years agoReputable sourceWell documented
The Great Dying
On the timeline · around ~252 million years ago · The Triassic
What happened
The Permian period ended in the most severe extinction event in Earth's history. Vast volcanic eruptions in Siberia poured out lava and greenhouse gases, warming the planet and acidifying the oceans. As much as 90% of marine species and most life on land was wiped out.
Why it matters
The 'Great Dying' emptied the world's ecosystems and cleared the way for new groups of animals to rise — among the survivors were the ancestors of the dinosaurs.
Sources
- University of California Museum of Paleontology. The Permian Period · Reputable source
Related timelines
- Evolution of Life on Earth → — The worst mass extinction in the history of life