The Wet Intermezzo: How Rain Transformed Earth 250 Million Years Ago

🌧️The Carnian Pluvial Episode was a two-million-year period of intense rain that occurred 234 million years ago, transforming Earth's climate and landscapes.

🦖The sudden increase in rainfall during the Carnian Pluvial Episode led to the proliferation of giant plants, providing an abundant food supply for herbivorous dinosaurs.

🌍The rise in atmospheric moisture during the Carnian Pluvial Episode was likely caused by a period of volcanic activity known as the Wrangellian eruptions, which released large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.

🌲The abundance of rain during the Carnian Pluvial Episode allowed conifers to spread and diversify, leading to the development of modern pine trees.

🐊The sudden change in climate and abundance of rain caused the extinction of many early reptiles, paving the way for the rise of dinosaurs as the dominant species.

What caused the sudden increase in rainfall during the Carnian Pluvial Episode?

—The sudden increase in rainfall was likely caused by a period of volcanic activity known as the Wrangellian eruptions, which released large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, leading to a greenhouse effect and a wetter climate.

How did the rise in rainfall benefit dinosaurs?

—The increase in rainfall led to the proliferation of giant plants, providing an abundant food supply for herbivorous dinosaurs. This allowed them to thrive and eventually dominate the world.

What impact did the Carnian Pluvial Episode have on plant life?

—The Carnian Pluvial Episode allowed conifers to spread and diversify, leading to the development of modern pine trees. The increase in rainfall also changed the composition of plant communities and ecosystems.

Did the Carnian Pluvial Episode cause the extinction of any species?

—Yes, the sudden change in climate and abundance of rain caused the extinction of many early reptiles and reptile-like mammals, paving the way for the rise of dinosaurs as the dominant species.

How long did the Carnian Pluvial Episode last?

—The Carnian Pluvial Episode lasted for approximately two million years, from around 234 to 232 million years ago.

00:03250 million years ago, Earth was hot, dry, and dominated by early reptiles and mammal ancestors.

00:33Around 234 million years ago, the climate suddenly changed, and intense rain fell for two million years.

02:44The sudden increase in rainfall was caused by a period of volcanic activity known as the Wrangellian eruptions, which released large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.

04:13The increase in rainfall led to the proliferation of giant plants, providing an abundant food supply for herbivorous dinosaurs.

06:59The Carnian Pluvial Episode allowed conifers to spread and diversify, leading to the development of modern pine trees.

05:39The sudden change in climate and abundance of rain caused the extinction of many early reptiles, paving the way for the rise of dinosaurs as the dominant species.

07:14The Carnian Pluvial Episode lasted for approximately two million years, from around 234 to 232 million years ago.