2 million-year rain: Dinosaurs rise to power on Earth

Our planet holds countless enigmas, each deep dive into its history revealing astonishing facts that bewilder scientists. A particularly astounding phenomenon is the Carnian Pluvial Period, during which Earth experienced continuous rainfall lasting millions of years.

This relentless precipitation period has long captivated scientists, contributing significantly to the proliferation of life on Earth. Researchers now believe they have unearthed the reasons behind this incessant rainfall.

In Earth’s distant past, during the era of the supercontinent Pangea, around 200 to 300 million years ago, Earth was an entirely different landscape, comprised of all the landmasses joined together. It was during this era that the Earth experienced a prolonged phase of rainfall, believed to last between one to two million years. Initial clues to this period were discovered in the 1970s and 80s, when geologists found unusual sediment layers in ancient rocks dating back approximately 232 to 234 million years.

Investigations in the eastern Alps and the UK revealed sediment layers that deviated from the norm, pointing towards a period of significant dryness followed by an extended rainy phase. These findings, corroborated by similar evidence from around the globe, led to the identification of the Carnian Pluvial Event.

The intrigue surrounding this prolonged rainy episode demanded an explanation for its cause. The prevailing theory among scientists attributes the increased humidity and ensuing rainfall to a colossal volcanic eruption in the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province. This event likely caused a spike in global temperatures, warming the oceans and thereby elevating atmospheric moisture levels.

According to research published in the Journal of the Geological Society, this wet period was crucial for the diversification of dinosaurs, following a challenging period marked by frequent volcanic activities. The aftermath of widespread plant and herbivore extinctions saw dinosaurs emerge as the primary beneficiaries during the recovery phase.

This event stands out as a pivotal moment in Earth’s geological history, paving the way for the rise of dinosaurs and the formation of modern terrestrial fauna, including turtles, crocodiles, lizards, and mammals.