High-precision geochronology confirms voluminous magmatism before, during, and after Earth's most severe extinction.

摘要: The end-Permian mass extinction was the most severe in Phanerozoic, extinguishing more than 90% of marine and 75% terrestrial species a maximum 61 ± 48 ky. Because broad temporal coincidence between biotic crisis one voluminous continental volcanic eruptions since origin animals, Siberian Traps large igneous province (LIP), causal connection has long been suggested. Magmatism is hypothesized to have caused rapid injection massive amounts greenhouse gases into atmosphere, driving climate change subsequent destabilization biosphere. Establishing magmatism critically dependent on accurately precisely knowing relative timing two events flux magma. New U/Pb dates LIP lava flows, sills, explosively erupted rocks indicate that (i) about two-thirds total lava/pyroclastic volume over ~300 ky, before concurrent with extinction; (ii) eruption balance lavas continued for at least 500 ky after cessation; (iii) emplacement sills shallow crust began concomitant early Triassic. This age model consistent as trigger suggests role suppression post-extinction recovery.