Cookie Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 (edited) Boost to CO2 mass extinction idea By Helen Briggs BBC News science reporter A computer simulation of the Earth's climate 250 million years ago suggests that global warming triggered the so-called "great dying". A dramatic rise in carbon dioxide caused temperatures to soar to 10 to 30 degrees Celsius higher than today, say US researchers. The warming had a profound impact on the oceans, cutting off oxygen to the lower depths and extinguishing most lifeforms, they write in the latest issue of Geology. The research adds to the growing body of evidence that higher temperatures, rather than a giant space rock hitting the planet, led to the greatest mass extinction in history. Prehistoric extinction The extinction, at the end of the Permian Period and the beginning of the Triassic, has puzzled scientists for many years. Some 95% of lifeforms in the oceans became extinct, along with about three-quarters of land species. Many possible reasons for this catastrophic event have been proposed - including impacts, volcanism, climate change and glaciation. Hard evidence, however, has been difficult to find. The latest data from scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, supports the view that extensive volcanic activity over the course of hundreds of thousands of years released large amounts of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide into the air, gradually warming up the planet. Deep impact The NCAR team used a research tool known as the Community Climate System Model (CSSM) which looks at the combined effects of atmospheric temperatures, ocean temperatures and currents. [cont] Read the full article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4184110.stm Edited August 29, 2005 by fred666 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamz Veteran Posted August 29, 2005 Veteran Share Posted August 29, 2005 yeah, i read about this theory. it seems interesting. i'm going to read up on it and all the evidence, if i have time. extinction is fascinating. it shows how resilient nature can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killmaster84 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Were going to kill our selfs off, so whats new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts