Aptian extinction
Encyclopedia
The Aptian extinction was an extinction event
of the early Cretaceous Period. It is dated to c. 116 or 117 million years ago, in the middle of the Aptian
stage of the geological time scale, and has sometimes been termed the mid-Aptian extinction event as a result.
It is classified as a minor extinction event, rather than a major event like the famous Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event that brought about the end of the "age of dinosaurs" and the Mesozoic Era. The Aptian event is most readily detected among marine rather than terrestrial fossil deposits. Nonetheless, "The Aptian Extinction Event is an episode of importance, deserving a higher status among other minor events."
The Aptian event may have been causally connected with the Rahjamal Traps
volcanism
episode in the Bengal region of India, associated with the Kerguelen hotspot
of volcanic activity. (At the time in question, c. 116–117 Ma, India was located in the southern Indian ocean; plate tectonics had not yet moved the Indian landmass into its present position.)
Extinction event
An extinction event is a sharp decrease in the diversity and abundance of macroscopic life. They occur when the rate of extinction increases with respect to the rate of speciation...
of the early Cretaceous Period. It is dated to c. 116 or 117 million years ago, in the middle of the Aptian
Aptian
The Aptian is an age in the geologic timescale or a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is a subdivision of the Early or Lower Cretaceous epoch or series and encompasses the time from 125.0 ± 1.0 Ma to 112.0 ± 1.0 Ma , approximately...
stage of the geological time scale, and has sometimes been termed the mid-Aptian extinction event as a result.
It is classified as a minor extinction event, rather than a major event like the famous Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event that brought about the end of the "age of dinosaurs" and the Mesozoic Era. The Aptian event is most readily detected among marine rather than terrestrial fossil deposits. Nonetheless, "The Aptian Extinction Event is an episode of importance, deserving a higher status among other minor events."
The Aptian event may have been causally connected with the Rahjamal Traps
Rahjamal Traps
The Rahjamal Traps are a volcanism episode in Bengal in India, associated with the Kerguelen "hot spot" of volcanic activity. At the time in question, c. 116–117 Ma, India in the southern Indian ocean over the Kerguelen hot spot; plate tectonics had not yet moved the Indian landmass into its...
volcanism
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
episode in the Bengal region of India, associated with the Kerguelen hotspot
Kerguelen hotspot
The Kerguelen hotspot is a volcanic hotspot at the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Indian Ocean. The Kerguelen hotspot has produced basaltic lava for about 130 million years and has also produced the Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, the McDonald Islands, and the Ninetyeast Ridge....
of volcanic activity. (At the time in question, c. 116–117 Ma, India was located in the southern Indian ocean; plate tectonics had not yet moved the Indian landmass into its present position.)