The Permian extinction is currently believed to be the result of methane hydrate deposits boiling off when the climate was warmed by global warming becaused by super-volcanism. This caused even more warming and the Earth scorched off most of its life. Even though this theory is being attacked right now, I didn't even think they were
looking for an impact crater. To be honest, an impact doesn't sound likely to cause the Permian extinction. It would have to be too large and have likely burned off the atmosphere totally.
Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Weren't the dinosaurs extinct about 65 million years ago (as being the largest extinction event)?
No, far from it. The Jurassic extinction event that killed the dinosaurs killed 35% of species on earth. The Permian one killed 90%.
