Felsic volcanism as a factor driving the end-Permian mass extinction

Authors

Hua Zhang, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Feifei Zhang, Nanjing University
Jiu Bin Chen, Tianjin University
Douglas H. Erwin, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural HistoryFollow
Drew D. Syverson, Yale University
Pei Ni, Nanjing University
Michael Rampino, New York University
Zhe Chi, Nanjing University
Yao Feng Cai, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lei Xiang, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wei Qiang Li, Nanjing University
Sheng Ao Liu, State Key Lab for Geological Processes and Mineral Resources
Ru Cheng Wang, Nanjing University
Xiang Dong Wang, Nanjing University
Zhuo Feng, Yunnan University
Hou Min Li, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Ting Zhang, Tianjin University
Hong Ming Cai, Tianjin University
Wang Zheng, Tianjin University
Ying Cui, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Xiang Kun Zhu, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zeng Qian Hou, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Fu Yuan Wu, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yi Gang Xu, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry
Noah Planavsky, Yale University
Shu Zhong Shen, Nanjing University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2021

Journal / Book Title

Science Advances

Abstract

The Siberian Traps large igneous province (STLIP) is commonly invoked as the primary driver of global environmental changes that triggered the end-Permian mass extinction (EPME). Here, we explore the contributions of coeval felsic volcanism to end-Permian environmental changes. We report evidence of extreme Cu enrichment in the EPME interval in South China. The enrichment is associated with an increase in the light Cu isotope, melt inclusions rich in copper and sulfides, and Hg concentration spikes. The Cu and Hg elemental and isotopic signatures can be linked to S-rich vapor produced by felsic volcanism. We use these previously unknown geochemical data to estimate volcanic SO2 injections and argue that this volcanism would have produced several degrees of rapid cooling before or coincident with the more protracted global warming. Large-scale eruptions near the South China block synchronous with the EPME strengthen the case that the STLIP may not have been the sole trigger.

Comments

This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).

DOI

10.1126/sciadv.abh1390

Journal ISSN / Book ISBN

85119415013 (Scopus)

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Zhang, Hua; Zhang, Feifei; Chen, Jiu Bin; Erwin, Douglas H.; Syverson, Drew D.; Ni, Pei; Rampino, Michael; Chi, Zhe; Cai, Yao Feng; Xiang, Lei; Li, Wei Qiang; Liu, Sheng Ao; Wang, Ru Cheng; Wang, Xiang Dong; Feng, Zhuo; Li, Hou Min; Zhang, Ting; Cai, Hong Ming; Zheng, Wang; Cui, Ying; Zhu, Xiang Kun; Hou, Zeng Qian; Wu, Fu Yuan; Xu, Yi Gang; Planavsky, Noah; and Shen, Shu Zhong, "Felsic volcanism as a factor driving the end-Permian mass extinction" (2021). Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 746.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/earth-environ-studies-facpubs/746

Published Citation

Zhang, H., Zhang, F., Chen, J. B., Erwin, D. H., Syverson, D. D., Ni, P., ... & Shen, S. Z. (2021). Felsic volcanism as a factor driving the end-Permian mass extinction. Science Advances, 7(47), eabh1390.