“Uncovering the Secrets of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2: Scientists Make Groundbreaking Climate Discovery”

Scientists from the University of Exeter have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the causes behind one of the most significant climate catastrophes in history. The research team has shed new light on ‘Oceanic Anoxic Event 2’, a period around 94 million years ago characterized by severe global warming and ocean acidification.

During this event, large parts of the Earth’s oceans were depleted of oxygen, leading to toxic waters, mass extinctions, and habitat loss. The exact cause of this anoxic event, which lasted for over 500,000 years, has been a topic of debate among experts. However, the researchers have now identified mass volcanism as the likely trigger, pinpointing the source to a vast oceanic plateau beneath the remote Kerguelen Islands.

To reach this conclusion, the team analyzed geochemical and micropalaeontological data from ocean sediment cores in the Mentelle Basin, off the coast of Western Australia. The sediment cores revealed evidence of sedimentary mercury, indicating intense mass volcanism before and during the main phase of the anoxic event. Additionally, isotopic analysis showed that the Kerguelen Plateau was uplifted due to volcanic activity, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The researchers believe that this release of carbon dioxide played a crucial role in warming the climate and causing ocean acidification during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2. They argue that this phenomenon pushed the Earth towards a ‘hothouse world’ at the time. The findings of the study have been published in Nature Communications.

Chloe Walker-Trivett, the lead researcher of the study, highlighted the importance of their southern hemisphere study site in providing a new perspective on the event. Sev Kender, a co-author of the study, emphasized the innovative approach of combining mercury proxies for volcanic eruptions with isotopic analysis to pinpoint the source of the volcanic activity.

This research not only enhances our understanding of past climate catastrophes but also provides valuable insights for future climate change scenarios. By studying events like Oceanic Anoxic Event 2, scientists can better predict and prepare for the potential impacts of rapid global warming.