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The Carnian Pluvial Event
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There is no doubt that Earth’s history has been marked by several intriguing and exciting events that have shaped life on our planet. These events have led to the emergence of new life or the complete annhilation of certain species. One such remarkable occurrence was the Carnian pluvial event (CPE), also known as the Carnian crisis, which took place around 232 million years ago. This was a period of continuous rain that lasted 1–2 million years, and played a pivotal role in the evolution of life on Earth, particularly during the emergence of dinosaurs and other terrestrial fauna.
Unveiling Ancient Mysteries
Around 200–300 million years ago, the Earth was home to a supercontinent known as Pangaea, when it experienced an unprecedented era of non-stop rainfall. The Earth, and its supercontinent were prone to monsoons at this time. Monsoons are periods of heavy rain when moisture-heavy air rises from the sea towards land. Once there, it cools down and falls as heavy rain. During the Carnian pluvial event, the seas heated further, resulting in more moisture above, and heavier rainfall on land.
Geologists in the 1970s and 80s made significant discoveries in ancient rocks dating back to 232–4 million years. Studies conducted in the eastern Alps and the UK revealed…
