Buzz
As the year 2012 quickly draws near, doomsday theorists predict the world’s inevitable demise. Though the probability of an actual apocalyptic event in 2012 is extremely low, the extinction scenarios described here are potentially plausible, and some have even occurred in the past (think dinosaurs). Feel free to add your own to the discussion in the comments.
10. A Drop in Sea Levels
In essence, if the sea levels were to plummet dramatically (whether caused by global cooling – more on that later – or the sinking of mid-ocean ridges), it could shrink the area around the Continental Shelf, which is the most biologically productive region of the oceans. This would lead to a 'marine mass extinction,' wiping out most sea life, including fish, sharks, whales, and nearly everything else in the deep blue. If that wasn't severe enough, such changes could trigger drastic weather shifts that may lead to mass extinctions on land as well (including us!).
9. Collision Catastrophes
Is that a massive asteroid heading our way? Yes, indeed, and it’s the next disaster on our list. An impact event was responsible for the massive K/T extinction. Essentially, when the colossal rock collides with Earth, it releases 'dust and particulate aerosols' (that’s scientist speak for a lot of toxic particles) into the atmosphere. This results in sunlight being blocked, which not only causes plants to perish but also leads to a dramatic drop in temperatures. It gets even worse: if the asteroid strikes sulfur-rich rocks, we’re not just left in darkness at noon but also face a deluge of acid rain! And don’t forget the mega-tsunamis and global wildfires that follow.
8. The Onset of Global Cooling
This was the storyline of “The Day After Tomorrow”. For some unknown reason, Earth experiences a rapid drop in temperature, leading to the demise of many animals in polar and temperate regions. This would trigger a massive migration towards the equator, turning more of the planet into barren desert. Additionally, finding fresh water becomes a challenge as much of it is locked up as ice and snow. However, humanity might survive this event, so don’t panic just yet.
7. The Threat of Global Warming
Here it is, essentially the opposite of Global Cooling. This time, species in temperate zones would be at risk, while other animals are forced to move toward the poles. Melting ice and snow would deepen the oceans and potentially lead to Anoxic events (explained further below).
6. The Clathrate Gun
To put it simply, there are these substances called Clathrates forming on the Continental Shelf. Imagine a 'pig in a blanket' – a small sausage wrapped in bread. However, instead of a tasty treat, the clathrate consists of methane trapped in ice. If these methane-packed clathrates break apart, the gas would be released into the atmosphere, accelerating Global Warming.
5. Anoxic Events
Oceanic anoxic events occur when the Earth's oceans lose all oxygen below the surface levels. While these events haven't occurred in millions of years, the geological record indicates that they've happened numerous times in the past. Anoxic events may have been responsible for mass extinctions. The black lines in the image above represent the Aptian anoxic event.
4. Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions
This may have occurred during the Permian-Triassic extinction event, where a warming trend disrupted the balance between plankton and bacteria that typically reduce sulfate. Picture massive amounts of hydrogen sulfide, also known as 'rotten egg and fart stink,' suddenly rising from the ocean, poisoning everything on land and in the sea. And as if that wasn’t terrible enough, it weakens the ozone layer, leaving what’s left exposed to harmful UV radiation.
3. Human Impact
Humanity has become so dominant that nature seems unable to harm us. However, we’ve found ways to bring about our own downfall. The clearest example is nuclear war. There are enough nuclear weapons on Earth to wipe out all life, a scenario that has felt dangerously close in the past (consider the Cuban missile crisis). We can only hope that someday we achieve enough peace to never use these weapons on a global scale.
2. Gamma Ray Bursts
This is my favorite! Imagine a normal night. You’re out stargazing with your partner when suddenly, a flash lights up the night sky, not too far 'galactically' speaking. A star has exploded. Before you even have time to react, you and everyone on Earth are instantly dead. That’s a Gamma Ray Burst hitting us, but instead of transforming into a giant, rampaging creature, you die right away. The Gamma Ray has destroyed every cell in your body. If the burst is weaker, only the half of the planet facing it dies immediately. For the other half, the ozone layer is destroyed, exposing Earth to deadly UV radiation – everyone’s doomed.
1. Oceanic Overturn
The ocean is made of water, but more importantly, it’s salt water. Interestingly, the salt concentration is higher near the surface than it is in the depths. Oceanic Overturn occurs when deeper waters rise up to replace the surface water. 'So what?' you might ask. Wrong! Remember Anoxic Events? The deeper water has far less oxygen, which means that the creatures living in the upper layers and mid-depths are doomed.
