The mass extinction of the dinosaurs is something most young people are aware of from an early age. Yet this event 65million years ago (the Cretaceous - Tertiary or K-T boundary) was far from being the worst mass extinction event the Earth has seen.
250 Ma a much larger event led to the extinction of 95% of Marine Life and 70% of land based life. Scientist have recently been able to pinpoint the exact rate and time of the extinction.
Through the analysis of various types of dating techniques on well-preserved sedimentary sections from South China to Tibet, researchers determined that the mass extinction peaked about 252.28 million years ago and lasted less than 200,000 years, with most of the extinction lasting about 20,000 years.
Read more here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117143955.htm
In addition, research has also shown that the Mass-Extinction event at the K-T boundary that killed off the dinosaurs was caused by a double blow of mass volcanic eruption and a massive meteorite impact. Scientists have charted the demise of species of planktonic foraminifera found in marine sediments trapped between layers of lava in an area of India known as the Deccan Traps. More here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117141201.htm
Some food for thought:
How does a large volcanic eruption lead to the extinction of species right around the globe?
What is the effect of a large Meteor impact on the planet and how does this lead to the extinction of species around the globe?
What would be the impact of the eruption of a supervolcano on the Human race? How would we survive such an event?
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