The Great Dying: The Permian – Triassic Mass Extinction

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, including significant geological features, events, and biological impacts.

Phanerozoic Eon

The current eon in the geologic time scale, marked by abundant fossil evidence.

Permian Period

The last period of the Paleozoic Era, lasting from 299 to 251 million years ago.

Pangaea

A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.

Siberian Traps

A large region of volcanic rock in Russia, known for massive basalt eruptions connected to the Permian-Triassic extinction.

Anticline Trap

A geological structure where oil and gas are trapped beneath a layer of impermeable rock.

Therapsids

An early group of synapsids that are considered to be ancestors of mammals, exhibiting mammal-like characteristics.

Diapsid reptiles

Reptiles characterized by having two temporal fenestrae; ancestors of modern reptiles including dinosaurs and birds.

Siberian flood basalt

Enormous volcanic eruptions that created the Siberian Traps, significantly impacting the climate.

Mass extinction

A significant and rapid decrease in biodiversity on Earth, marked by the extinction of a large number of species.

Ozone layer destruction

Process where chlorine bonds with ozone, potentially depleting the protective layer around Earth.