Home

Paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic context of Early Triassic time

Adam D. WOODS

en Comptes Rendus Palevol 4 (6-7) - Pages 463-472

Published on 31 October 2005

This article is a part of the thematic issue The Triassic recovery, the dawn of the modern biota

The Early Triassic interval is dominated by unusual oceanic and climatic conditions that are perhaps unique to the Phanerozoic. Early Triassic oceans were likely anoxic and possibly alkaline while climate during the period was dominated by the expansion of deserts and the migration of warm, moist conditions to high Southern Hemisphere latitudes. Atmospheric O2 levels apparently decreased during the period while CO2 levels increased. The unusual and severe nature of many aspects of Early Triassic oceans and climate likely played a role in determining the timing and shape of the biotic recovery from the Permian–Triassic mass extinction.


Keywords:

Early Triassic, paleoceanography, paleoclimate, Anoxia, biotic recovery

Download full article in PDF format