The Ends of the World

Brannen examines the major mass extinctions in earth’s past and concurrent times of eruptions of massive floods of lava. He introduces us to the front-line researchers who are using the forensic tools of modern geology to uncover the connection between these titanic eruptions and the release of volcanic gases, severe greenhouse warming, ocean stagnation and eventual mass extinctions of life. This leads to the possibility that catastrophes can come from inside as well as outside the earth.

Although the content of this book is not specific to California, its underlying premise—that the Earth’s history comprises a series of recoveries between planet-wide catastrophes—is etched into the rock record. The sedimentary mountains of the Great Basin and eastern California owe their beautiful stripes to changes in environment, many of which were brought on by catastrophes such as gargantuan volcanic eruptions in Siberia 252 million years ago that erupted enough basalt to bury the lower 48 states under a half-mile of lava. These eruptions nearly sterilized the planet and brought the Paleozoic Era to a close.

The signs of these… show more.