Saloni Shankar
A new study reveals an ancient mass extinction event. This extinction was triggered by dramatic climate changes. Dinosaurs rose as Earth’s dominant creatures after this event.
Led by Professor Mike Benton and Dr. Jacopo Dal Corso, the study connects this event to the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE). The CPE, a period of intense rainfall, lasted for one million years.
Climate Chaos Unleashes New Life and Dinosaur Takeover
Palaeontologists believe volcanic eruptions triggered the climate change. These eruptions occurred in Wrangellia Province, now parts of Alaska and British Columbia. Dr. Dal Corso noted, “The eruptions were so intense.”
They released large amounts of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide. This led to five- to seven-degree temperature rises across Earth. Warmer temperatures caused more evaporation from the seas. This increase led to heavy rainfall worldwide, reshaping ecosystems everywhere.
From Dry Spells to Heavy Rains: What Triggered the CPE?
During the Late Triassic period, Earth had a supercontinent called Pangea. Pangea’s massive landmass was bordered by the Panthalassa Ocean.
Its interior regions were dry, with rain falling mostly by the coast. But in the 1970s, geologists found a dark grey rock layer in Australia. This layer indicated a brief, intense humid period amid arid conditions.
The Carnian Pluvial Episode was likely caused by massive volcanic eruptions. These eruptions peaked during the Carnian period, releasing carbon dioxide. “The warming was unprecedented,” explained Dr. Dal Corso. These conditions caused intense rainfall and biodiversity loss. As species struggled to adapt, many could not survive the changes.
Dinosaurs Rise as New Ecosystems Take Shape
The extreme climate shifts led to severe biodiversity loss. Species unable to adapt simply vanished, creating space for new life. “The new floras provided slim pickings for herbivorous reptiles,” said Professor Benton. While some plants and animals adapted, dinosaurs found a chance to thrive.
Dinosaurs had first appeared around 20 million years earlier. However, they were relatively minor creatures before the Carnian event. Professor Benton explained, “The arid conditions following the humid period helped dinosaurs.” The extinction event cleared the way for dinosaurs to dominate.
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