The last time the world was wiped out, in the sense of a complete extinction event, was likely during the Permian-Triassic extinction event, also known as the "Great Dying". This event occurred approximately 252 million years ago and resulted in the extinction of over 90% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species.
While there have been many other mass extinction events throughout Earth's history, the Permian-Triassic extinction event stands out as the most severe. It is believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including:
- Volcanic eruptions: Massive volcanic activity in Siberia released vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to global warming and ocean acidification.
- Climate change: The rapid warming of the Earth's climate caused widespread environmental changes, including changes in ocean currents and the loss of oxygen in the oceans.
- Ocean acidification: The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide led to the acidification of the oceans, making it difficult for marine organisms to survive.
While the world was not completely wiped out, the Permian-Triassic extinction event had a profound impact on life on Earth. It took millions of years for life to recover from this devastating event.
