Environmental Science
7 years ago

Volcanic eruptions linked to ancient mass extinction event.

Scientific Reports
Mercury spikes suggest volcanic driver of the Ordovician-Silurian mass extinction
Gong Qing, Xiangdong Wang, Laishi Zhao, Stephen E. Grasby, Zhong‐Qiang Chen, Lei Zhang, Yang Li, Ling Cao, Zhihong Li

Paper Summary

A study analyzed rocks from China to understand a mass extinction event long ago. They found spikes in mercury levels during the extinction times, suggesting intense volcanic activity caused the event. The mercury spikes were not from other sources, indicating that volcanoes played a big role in the extinction.

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