Scientists have discovered that a fire kept burning in Europe for between 40,000 and 300,000 years following the end-Triassic mass extinction nearly 201 million years ago. As supercontinent Pangea began to break apart, volcanoes erupted, primarily from the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). This event wiped out approximately 76 per cent of all terrestrial and marine species. Huge quantities of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere as temperatures climbed by an estimated 5 to 10 degrees Celsius worldwide.&nbsp;Forests collapsed, and Northwest Europe was soon covered by ferns. An international team of scientists led by geologists at Utrecht University have suggested that the ferns were vulnerable to fire, which triggered the spread of massive wildfires. The study in the journal Nature Geoscience states that the ferns also provided the fuel in many cases, which further fuelled the wildfires.The team drilled four cores of sediments, one of which came from a depth of nearly 2,100 feet.&nbsp;They measured fossil charcoal and organic compounds produced in wildfire smoke called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to recreate the ancient wildfires. They found that during the main extinction interval, massive fires burnt in the region. This period coincided with the rapid spread of ferns.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-discover-fingerprints-of-supercontinent-gondwana-in-ancient-rocks-1789044709356">800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks</a><h2>Testing the sediment</h2>However, charcoal can break down into fragments and smoke-related molecules can travel far from the fires, exaggerating the intensity of the fires. So the team "used a simple and very low-cost technique that quantifies the ‘darkness’ of fossil pollen and spores, a so-called Palynomorph Darkness Index."&nbsp;Samples gathered from the deepest points, which were also the oldest, had light colored pollen and spores. The extinction interval fossils became progressively darker and became extremely dark brown. After the extinction interval ended, they turned a light yellow colour. When the unusual darkening was compared with other indicators of ancient fires, they found a pattern, leading them to conclude that intense wildfire activity occurred along with fern abundance during the "Dark Zone".&nbsp;Some fern species can grow back quickly, especially after a fire. Even after the leaves above the ground burn up, roots remain, which allows the plant to cover the burned areas again. Since the fern kept bouncing back, the fires persisted. The researchers estimate that they could have burnt for 40,000 years and for as long as 300,000 years.&nbsp;Some fern species form savannahs across the landscape. "When the ferns dry out, the thick mats act as the ideal fuel to trigger massive wildfires," senior author Dr Bas van de Schootbrugge said. "Ferns responded to and delivered the fuel that fanned the flames, triggering repeated massive wildfires. A truly hellish world."&nbsp;Van de Schootbrugge said that the study shows that climate change, deforestation, and certain species can once again set the stage for a new storm. &nbsp;

At the time of the end-Triassic mass extinction, wildfires fuelled by fast-spreading ferns gripped Europe. It burned for thousands of years and likely continued for 300,000 years. 

Scientists have discovered that a fire kept burning in Europe for between 40,000 and 300,000 years following the end-Triassic mass extinction nearly 201 million years ago. As supercontinent Pangea began to break apart, volcanoes erupted, primarily from the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). This event wiped out approximately 76 per cent of all terrestrial and marine species. Huge quantities of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere as temperatures climbed by an estimated 5 to 10 degrees Celsius worldwide. Forests collapsed, and Northwest Europe was soon covered by ferns. An international team of scientists led by geologists at Utrecht University have suggested that the ferns were vulnerable to fire, which triggered the spread of massive wildfires. The study in the journal Nature Geoscience states that the ferns also provided the fuel in many cases, which further fuelled the wildfires. The team drilled four cores of sediments, one of which came from a depth of nearly 2,100 feet. They measured fossil charcoal and organic compounds produced in wildfire smoke called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to recreate the ancient wildfires. They found that during the main extinction interval, massive fires burnt in the region. This period coincided with the rapid spread of ferns. Also Read: 800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks Testing the sediment However, charcoal can break down into fragments and smoke-related molecules can travel far from the fires, exaggerating the intensity of the fires. So the team "used a simple and very low-cost technique that quantifies the ‘darkness’ of fossil pollen and spores, a so-called Palynomorph Darkness Index." Samples gathered from the deepest points, which were also the oldest, had light colored pollen and spores. The extinction interval fossils became progressively darker and became extremely dark brown. After the extinction interval ended, they turned a light yellow colour. When the unusual darkening was compared with other indicators of ancient fires, they found a pattern, leading them to conclude that intense wildfire activity occurred along with fern abundance during the "Dark Zone". Some fern species can grow back quickly, especially after a fire. Even after the leaves above the ground burn up, roots remain, which allows the plant to cover the burned areas again. Since the fern kept bouncing back, the fires persisted. The researchers estimate that they could have burnt for 40,000 years and for as long as 300,000 years. Some fern species form savannahs across the landscape. "When the ferns dry out, the thick mats act as the ideal fuel to trigger massive wildfires," senior author Dr Bas van de Schootbrugge said. "Ferns responded to and delivered the fuel that fanned the flames, triggering repeated massive wildfires. A truly hellish world." Van de Schootbrugge said that the study shows that climate change, deforestation, and certain species can once again set the stage for a new storm.

At the time of the end-Triassic mass extinction, wildfires fuelled by fast-spreading ferns gripped Europe. It burned for thousands of years and likely continued for 300,000 years.&nbsp;

'Hellish' wildfires burned through Europe for 300,000 years after supercontinent Pangea broke up

Humans and other mammals will in the future vanish from Earth in a mass extinction event linked to extreme temperatures, a study claims. The research, led by Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, points to a supercontinent that would one day wipe out life from the planet.

According to the study, in the coming years all the continents on Earth, which they say are slowly drifting, will come together to form a single massive landmass, called Pangea Ultima. This will lead to climate change on a huge scale.&nbsp;

Published in Nature Geoscience, it further says that it would become too hot and dry for most life forms on Earth, making it difficult for them to survive.

The extreme heat will be the result of three main factors, as per Dr Farnsworth.

“The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO₂ in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet,” he says.

The continentality effect is when more land area goes away from the cooling effects of the ocean. A hotter sun will happen at some point in the future, becoming brighter and shooting out more energy that will cause Earth to heat up.

The increased carbon dioxide will be the result of widespread volcanic activity due to tectonic movements. “Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate,” Dr Farnsworth added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-will-happen-to-apophis-during-its-close-call-with-earth-in-2029-a-study-answers-the-question-773096">What will happen to Apophis during its close call with Earth in 2029?</a>

“Humans — along with many other species — would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies.”

It would also become extremely hard for mammals to find food due to the extreme heat and dryness in a majority of areas on the land. Once Pangea Ultima forms, only about eight per cent to 16 per cent of the land be habitable for mammals, as per the study.

The supercontinent is still millions of years away. However, a climate crisis is already looming large over humanity. Scientists say we should remain mindful of the problem at hand.

“It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases,” co-author Dr Eunice Lo, Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol, said.

He added that an "uninhabitable planet" is still 250 million years away, but extreme heat is already wreaking havoc and is detrimental to human health. "This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible.”

<h2>Mass extinctions on Earth</h2>

Earth has witnessed at least five mass extinction events to date. The Ordovician-Silurian Extinction happened around 443 million years ago and wiped out nearly 85 per cent of sea life.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mass-extinction-event-that-occurred-40-years-back-never-happened-its-a-miracle-768320">Shocking study says THIS mass extinction event never happened</a>

The second mass extinction was the Late Devonian Extinction which occurred around 360 million years ago. Volcanic activity and asteroid impacts killed nearly 75 per cent of species.&nbsp;

The Permian-Triassic Extinction, also known as The Great Dying, happened around 252 million years ago. Volcanic eruptions in what is today Siberia released massive amounts of lava, leading to severe climate change, acid rain, and ocean acidification.

Then came the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction around 200 million years ago, which killed nearly 50 per cent of species and paved the way for the dinosaurs to thrive.

The most well-known extinction event was the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction which occurred around 66 million years ago. A colossal asteroid impact created the Chicxulub crater in present-day Mexico and killed the dinosaurs, besides 75 per cent of all species.&nbsp;

Humans and other mammals will in the future vanish from Earth in a mass extinction event linked to extreme temperatures, a study claims. The research, led by Dr.

Humans and other mammals will in the future vanish from Earth in a mass extinction event linked to extreme temperatures, a study claims. The research, led by Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, points to a supercontinent that would one day wipe out life from the planet. According to the study, in the coming years all the continents on Earth, which they say are slowly drifting, will come together to form a single massive landmass, called Pangea Ultima. This will lead to climate change on a huge scale. Published in Nature Geoscience, it further says that it would become too hot and dry for most life forms on Earth, making it difficult for them to survive. The extreme heat will be the result of three main factors, as per Dr Farnsworth. “The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO₂ in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet,” he says. The continentality effect is when more land area goes away from the cooling effects of the ocean. A hotter sun will happen at some point in the future, becoming brighter and shooting out more energy that will cause Earth to heat up. The increased carbon dioxide will be the result of widespread volcanic activity due to tectonic movements. “Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate,” Dr Farnsworth added. Also Read: What will happen to Apophis during its close call with Earth in 2029? “Humans — along with many other species — would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies.” It would also become extremely hard for mammals to find food due to the extreme heat and dryness in a majority of areas on the land. Once Pangea Ultima forms, only about eight per cent to 16 per cent of the land be habitable for mammals, as per the study. The supercontinent is still millions of years away. However, a climate crisis is already looming large over humanity. Scientists say we should remain mindful of the problem at hand. “It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases,” co-author Dr Eunice Lo, Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol, said. He added that an "uninhabitable planet" is still 250 million years away, but extreme heat is already wreaking havoc and is detrimental to human health. "This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible.” Mass extinctions on Earth Earth has witnessed at least five mass extinction events to date. The Ordovician-Silurian Extinction happened around 443 million years ago and wiped out nearly 85 per cent of sea life. Also Read: Shocking study says THIS mass extinction event never happened The second mass extinction was the Late Devonian Extinction which occurred around 360 million years ago. Volcanic activity and asteroid impacts killed nearly 75 per cent of species. The Permian-Triassic Extinction, also known as The Great Dying, happened around 252 million years ago. Volcanic eruptions in what is today Siberia released massive amounts of lava, leading to severe climate change, acid rain, and ocean acidification. Then came the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction around 200 million years ago, which killed nearly 50 per cent of species and paved the way for the dinosaurs to thrive. The most well-known extinction event was the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction which occurred around 66 million years ago. A colossal asteroid impact created the Chicxulub crater in present-day Mexico and killed the dinosaurs, besides 75 per cent of all species.

Scientists paint scary scenario of the next mass extinction. 'A triple whammy will...'

Scientists have discovered a part of Earth 120 million years old in Borneo that has been thought to be lost for a long time. The existence of a tectonic plate named Pontus came to light after &nbsp;Suzanna van de Lagemaat, a graduate geologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and her supervisor, Douwe van Hinsbergen, analysed geological data from mountains in the Asia-Pacific region.

She found signs of the ancient Pontus plate in Borneo while studying the rock formations. “We thought we were dealing with relics of a lost plate that we already knew about. But our magnetic lab research on those rocks indicated that our finds were originally from much farther north, and had to be remnants of a different, previously unknown plate," she said.

In a bid to know about the Pontus plate, Van de Lagemaat studied a complex region of tectonic plate activity known as the Junction Region. Japan, Borneo, the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand form this region.

<h2>Size of the tectonic plate</h2>

She collected a set of data from her studies, using which she reconstructed tectonic plate movements in the area since the time of the dinosaurs.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sea-monster-that-lived-85mn-years-ago-on-dry-land-that-was-once-an-ocean-760391">Sea monster lived 85mn years ago on Texas dry land that was once an ocean</a>

The Pontus plate was a part of the world’s crust before the supercontinent Pangaea broke up. To understand how big this tectonic plate was 160 million years ago, scientists carried out reconstructions based on which they estimated it was around a quarter of the size of the Pacific Ocean.

A vast ocean separated Eurasia and Australia at the time and Pontus was right beneath this water body. As Pangea broke up, this plate was swallowed by other plates which today carry countries like The Philippines and Borneo.

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia to the south collectively have political control over it.&nbsp;

Scientists have discovered a part of Earth 120 million years old in Borneo that has been thought to be lost for a long time. The existence of a tectonic plate named Pontus came to light after Suzanna van de Lagemaat, a graduate geologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and her supervisor, Douwe van Hinsbergen, analysed geological data from mountains in the Asia-Pacific region.

Scientists have discovered a part of Earth 120 million years old in Borneo that has been thought to be lost for a long time. The existence of a tectonic plate named Pontus came to light after Suzanna van de Lagemaat, a graduate geologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and her supervisor, Douwe van Hinsbergen, analysed geological data from mountains in the Asia-Pacific region. She found signs of the ancient Pontus plate in Borneo while studying the rock formations. “We thought we were dealing with relics of a lost plate that we already knew about. But our magnetic lab research on those rocks indicated that our finds were originally from much farther north, and had to be remnants of a different, previously unknown plate," she said. In a bid to know about the Pontus plate, Van de Lagemaat studied a complex region of tectonic plate activity known as the Junction Region. Japan, Borneo, the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand form this region. Size of the tectonic plate She collected a set of data from her studies, using which she reconstructed tectonic plate movements in the area since the time of the dinosaurs. Also Read: Sea monster lived 85mn years ago on Texas dry land that was once an ocean The Pontus plate was a part of the world’s crust before the supercontinent Pangaea broke up. To understand how big this tectonic plate was 160 million years ago, scientists carried out reconstructions based on which they estimated it was around a quarter of the size of the Pacific Ocean. A vast ocean separated Eurasia and Australia at the time and Pontus was right beneath this water body. As Pangea broke up, this plate was swallowed by other plates which today carry countries like The Philippines and Borneo. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia to the south collectively have political control over it.

120-million-year-old part of Earth lost since break up of Pangea discovered

The formation of a new supercontinent could wipe out all mammals and make Earth uninhabitable in about 250 million years. Researchers used supercomputer climate models to predict how climate extremes would intensify after the world’s continents merge to form one supercontinent called ''Pangea ultima'. They found it would be extremely hot, dry, and virtually uninhabitable for humans and mammals.

Supercontinent could wipe out all mammals

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