How Massive Volcanic Eruptions Changed the Earth: A Story of Survival

🌋Massive volcanic eruptions 95 million years ago released huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing a rapid rise in temperatures.

🌡️The temperature increase during this period was the highest seen in 115 million years, with the ocean reaching a baly 20°C and equatorial regions experiencing temperatures of 42°C.

🌊The excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere triggered a series of events, including increased rainfall, nutrient runoff into the oceans, Plankton blooms, and a depletion of dissolved oxygen in the deep ocean.

🦠The depletion of oxygen resulted in an ocean anoxic event, causing the extinction of 27% of invertebrates and significant loss of species in deeper waters.

🌏The Earth's natural processes, such as silicate weathering, eventually pulled carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, stabilizing the climate over thousands of years.

What caused the rapid rise in temperatures 95 million years ago?

—Massive volcanic eruptions in the Caribbean and Madagascar released vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect and causing temperatures to increase rapidly.

What were the consequences of the increased carbon dioxide levels?

—The increased carbon dioxide caused temperatures to rise, resulting in warmer oceans, increased rainfall, Plankton blooms, and oxygen depletion in the deep ocean.

How did the Earth stabilize its climate?

—The Earth used natural processes, such as silicate weathering, to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stabilize the climate over thousands of years.

What impact did the ocean anoxic event have on marine life?

—The ocean anoxic event led to the extinction of 27% of invertebrates and significant loss of species in deeper waters, including deep water mollusks and species of Plankton.

What can we learn from this history?

—This history serves as a warning for the current rise in carbon dioxide levels caused by human activities and emphasizes the urgent need to reduce emissions to prevent similar consequences.

00:0195 million years ago, massive volcanic eruptions released huge amounts of carbon dioxide, causing a rapid rise in temperatures.

05:58The excess carbon dioxide triggered increased rainfall, Plankton blooms, and oxygen depletion in the deep ocean.

06:35The ocean anoxic event led to the extinction of 27% of invertebrates and significant loss of species in deeper waters.

07:26The Earth used natural processes, such as silicate weathering, to stabilize the climate over thousands of years.

08:23The current rise in carbon dioxide levels emphasizes the need to reduce emissions to prevent similar consequences.