How the age of mammals could end
Retrieved on:
Friday, September 29, 2023
Human, Radiation, Travel, University, Heat, Overheating, Atmosphere, Elephant, Mammal, Dune, Sun, Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum, Research, Temperature, Brain, Thermoregulation, Permo-Carboniferous, Swelling, Dog, PETM, Perspiration, Weather, Death, Livestock, Coal, Hunting, Candy, Silviculture, Pangaea Proxima, Northwestern University
One of these – the Permo-Triassic mass extinction event – led to the demise of roughly 90% of Earth’s species.
Key Points:
- One of these – the Permo-Triassic mass extinction event – led to the demise of roughly 90% of Earth’s species.
- Most of these events have coincided with the formation of a supercontinent, where Earth’s tectonic plates slowly come together and combine.
- Scientists predict that Earth’s continents will again merge together in 250 million years to form a supercontinent called “Pangea Ultima”.
It’s going to get hot
- The primary reason behind this temperature rise is the projected location of Pangea Ultima, which would be centred on the equator.
- Our estimates also indicate that when Pangea Ultima eventually forms, the Sun will be 2.5% brighter than its present state.
- If we consider daily maximum temperatures and extreme weather events, then temperatures could potentially be pushed above 60℃ in some regions.
Inhospitable conditions
- For instance, humans cool themselves down during hot weather by sweating, while dogs rely on panting to dissipate heat.
- Prolonged exposure to such conditions can result in heatstroke, potentially causing swelling in critical organs like the brain.
- North American moose, for example, have a critical wet-bulb temperature threshold of 17℃ under calm conditions or 24℃ if it is windy.
Do mammals stand a chance?
- Second, during the PETM, the continents were positioned in a way that allowed mammals to move more easily towards cooler regions near the poles to escape extreme heat.
- This will make it challenging for mammals to travel long distances in search of cooler areas.
- What life form will become dominant if mammals do perish is anyone’s guess.