Did the great dying of life take 700 k.y.? Evidence from global astronomical correlation of the Permian-Triassic boundary interval

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2011 Did the great dying of life take 700 k.y.? Evidence from global astronomical correlation of the Permian-Triassic boundary interval Chunju Huang; Chunju Huang 1Faculty of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, P.R. China2Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jinnan Tong; Jinnan Tong 3Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, P.R. China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Linda Hinnov; Linda Hinnov 2Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Zhong Qiang Chen Zhong Qiang Chen 4School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2011) 39 (8): 779–782. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32126.1 Article history received: 01 Feb 2011 rev-recd: 22 Mar 2011 accepted: 23 Mar 2011 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Chunju Huang, Jinnan Tong, Linda Hinnov, Zhong Qiang Chen; Did the great dying of life take 700 k.y.? Evidence from global astronomical correlation of the Permian-Triassic boundary interval. Geology 2011;; 39 (8): 779–782. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G32126.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The cause of the great Permian-Triassic (P-T) boundary mass extinctions remains unknown. A crucial step in identifying the cause involves a precise timing of the mass extinction interval (MEI) in order to reconstruct the pattern of biotic evolution and the chronologic record of potential triggers. Here we present an estimate of the P-T boundary MEI duration based on astronomical tuning of multiple cyclic sedimentary records. Magnetic susceptibility data from Shangsi, southern China, provide evidence for strong 405 k.y. orbital eccentricity forcing throughout the P-T boundary interval. Radioisotope dating combined with 405 k.y. tuning provides an absolute time scale through the P-T boundary interval at unprecedented high resolution. An estimated ∼700 k.y. duration for the MEI at Shangsi is supported by eccentricity tuned estimates of four other sections in China and Austria. In addition, at Shangsi, the onset of mass extinction occurred shortly following a coincidence of minima in the observed ∼1.5 m.y., 405 k.y., and ∼100 k.y. cycles. A change in the magnetic susceptibility response to astronomical forcing occurred just prior to the onset of extinction, with reduced 100-k.y.-scale cyclicity continuing into the Early Triassic for more than 2 m.y. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.