A previously unknown mass extinction has been discovered which occurred 233 million years ago. The mass extinction was triggered by volcanic eruptions in modern-day Canada which spewed out greenhouse gases, leading to rapid climate change. It is the sixth mass extinction to be discovered and allowed dinosaurs, which were just emerging, to fill vacated environmental niches and take over the world. The dinosaurs dominated the landscape of both land, sea and air until their own mass extinction event 66 million years ago. While dinosaurs capitalised on the window of opportunity after the mass extinction, so too did other animals, with the first mammals, turtles and crocodiles appearing.

Source: Daily Mail September 16, 2020 18:01 UTC