Permian

/ˈpɜːmiən/ noun

Definition

The geological period that ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, occurring about 298 to 252 million years ago.

Etymology

Named after the Perm region in Russia where rocks from this period were first studied. It's the last period of the Paleozoic Era, named by Scottish geologist in 1841.

Kelly Says

The Permian extinction killed 96% of ocean species and 70% of land vertebrates—making it 'The Great Dying'—and we're not even sure if it was asteroids, volcanoes, or climate change!

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