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The Jurassic extinction: How did it destroy life in the Triassic?
The Jurassic Period is a fascinating geological period, stretching from the end of the Permian about 200 million years ago to the beginning of the Cretaceous about 140 million years ago. Remarkably, the arrival of the Jurassic was accompanied by a major extinction event, which not only reshaped the ecosystem at that time, but also laid the foundation for the subsequent evolution of the earth.
This extinction event was associated with volcanic eruptions in the Central Atlantic Volcanic Province and marked the beginning of the Jurassic Period.
During the early Jurassic, the supercontinent Pangea began to break apart, forming Laurasia to the north and Chaca to the south. Closely related to this change is climate change - the climate in the Jurassic was warmer than the current climate, there were no ice caps in the polar regions, and tropical rainforests can be seen everywhere in low latitudes.
The Jurassic was a growth period of increased biodiversity on Earth, with many new species appearing at this time, such as dinosaurs, early birds, and modern amphibians and reptiles.
However, volcanic activity and climate changes in the early Jurassic posed significant challenges to life. Many species became extinct due to their inability to adapt to rapidly changing environments, especially some early reptiles and amphibians. Against this background, dinosaurs ushered in a new era and became the dominant species on the earth.
As time went on, biodiversity gradually recovered during the Middle Jurassic, and more life forms emerged. For example, modern sharks and ray fishes first appeared during this period, bringing new vitality to marine ecosystems.
By the late Jurassic, the ecosystem showed amazing adaptability, and many new species were born one after another to meet the needs of different environments.
Geological and geographical features of the Jurassic Period
Geologically, the Jurassic period is divided into three periods: early, middle and late, each with unique geological characteristics. At this time, the earth was experiencing violent crustal movements. As the supercontinent split, new oceans and land gradually formed.
Among them, the opening of the North Atlantic and the expansion of the South Atlantic and their impact on global sea levels were important geographical events in the Jurassic period. Data show that sea levels rose significantly during this period, providing sufficient habitat for the evolution of new species.
Climate change and biological evolution
The climate during the Jurassic period was generally 5 to 10°C warmer than today, with carbon dioxide levels about four times higher than today. This warming has prompted the expansion of forests into higher latitudes and generated a surge of biological activity across the globe.
In this dynamic ecosystem, climate change across continents and changing ecological environments allow life forms to evolve and adapt.
Biodiversity increased significantly during this period, and richer vegetation appeared in the forest, providing food sources for various animals. Especially dinosaurs, as the main terrestrial creatures, occupy the top of the ecosystem.
The impact of extinction events
The impact of mass extinction events is far-reaching, not only leading to the loss of biological diversity, but also promoting the reorganization of ecosystems. Many small creatures gradually prospered, while large dinosaurs took diverse evolutionary paths over time.
For the living environment at that time, this extinction event meant an opportunity for rebirth. The return of many species from the brink of extinction further confirms nature’s ability to adapt and regenerate.
Future revelation
Today, scientists have gained a lot of inspiration about how life adapted through research on the Jurassic. In the current era when we are also facing climate change and ecological crises, can we learn from past history strategies for ecological balance to ensure future biodiversity and ecological health?
