The Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) saw the entire Earth inundated with rain for about two million years.
IMAGINE a world where rain doesn’t just ruin your weekend - it keeps pouring for up to two million years.
Sounds like the plot of a disaster movie? Sure, but could it be classified as a work of nonfiction?
So, is it true that it once rained non-stop for two million years?
Verdict:
TRUE
Believe it or not, this phenomenon actually happened during the Triassic around 233 million years ago.
It's known as the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE).
During the Late Triassic period, all of Earth’s land was clumped together in a supercontinent called Pangea, surrounded by a massive ocean known as the Panthalassic Ocean.
The climate at the time was mostly dry, with huge deserts taking up much of the land.
However, then came the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE), a long stretch of heavy rain and humidity that changed the planet forever.
*Cue dramatic thunderclap followed by vicious rains*
What caused all this rain might you ask? According to Earth.com, most experts point towards volcanic eruptions.
Massive eruptions in what is now Alaska and British Columbia (the Wrangellia Province) blasted huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
This sudden surge of greenhouse gases warmed the planet, which trapped more moisture in the air, leading to relentless rain that just wouldn’t quit.
While this never-ending downpour might sound like a dystopian nightmare, it wasn’t all bad all the time.
For life on Earth, it was both a major challenge and an opportunity they never saw coming.
Admittedly, the CPE did lead to the unfortunate extinction of many marine species, however, as some life forms disappeared, new ones took their place.
Most importantly, this period set the stage for the rise of the dinosaurs, who would soon take over the planet.
A study in the Journal of the Geological Society proposed that a wetter climate benefited dinosaurs, enabling them to thrive and diversify.
The Carnian Pluvial Episode is a powerful example of how Earth’s ever-changing climate can shape the course of life.
A sudden shift from dry, desert-like conditions to a much wetter and more humid climate caused many species to go extinct.
At the same time, it created opportunities for new species to evolve and thrive.
It’s a reminder of the deep connection between climate and biodiversity - massive environmental changes can lead to destruction - but they can also spark new beginnings.
References:
1. https://www.earth.com/news/
