The Permian Triassic Extinction Event The role of Global Warming in the PTEE Evelin Collado and Matthew Moline

Introduction 251 million years ago Up to 92% of species became extinct. What role did Global Warming play in this crisis?

PTEE Mechanisms CO2 Increase Ocean Circulation Storm Activity Anoxia Volcanism Hypercapnia Methane Release Bolide Impact

Comparison Early Permian Late Permian Early Triassic Modern Era Atmospheric CO2 350 ppm 3550 ppm 11,360 ppm 385 ppm Annual CO2 increase 0.0 ppm .016 ppm .039 ppm 2.0 ppm Average Temperature 15°C 25°C 30°C 14.54°C Avg. Temp. Increase 0°C 5.0 x 10-5°C 2.5 x 10-5°C 2.0 x 10-2°C Early Permian and Modern Era are similar Late Permian: Siberian Traps erupt Early Triassic: Additional Kill Mechanisms

Conclusion Global Warming was a critical component of the most profound extinction event of the last 600 million years. HOWEVER Atmospheric CO2 is currently increasing 100x faster than during the PTEE Temperature is currently increasing 660x faster than during the PTEE