Approximately 252 million years ago, Earth experienced the Great Dying, the deadliest mass extinction event in its history. This cataclysm was triggered by the eruption of the Siberian Traps, a series of massive volcanic eruptions that spewed vast amounts of lava and ash into the atmosphere. The resulting global climate change, acid rain, and toxic gases wiped out an estimated 95% of marine and nearly 70% of terrestrial life. This event marked the end of the Permian period and ushered in the Triassic period, a time of ecological recovery and diversification. The Great Dying serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact that geological events can have on the trajectory of life on Earth.
