(PTEE)

The Permian-Triassic Extinction Event (PTEE) (c. 252 Mya) was the most severe extinction event that the Earth has experienced, with over 80% of the marine species and 70% of terrestrial species becoming extinct. The extinction event was the result of catastrophic climate change that occurred during a period of Permian warming and resulting in the Triassic Hothouse. The talk will outline the PTEE, but also the details of minor climate change that occur as perturbations throughout geological history. Analysis of carbonate cements related to plants that grew during the post-extinction period of recovery give an insight into what the surface temperatures were like, millions of years after the event. The use of U-Pb age dating and isotopic analysis help in our understanding of past climatic change.