The reason behind world's largest mass extinction

Plus: A third skull is discovered in China, possibly belonging to the Homo erectus species. Dec 02, 2022 [Blueprint]( A new study sheds light on the [Late Permian Mass Extinction]( the largest extinction event in Earth's history. Led by researchers from Lancaster University, the study suggests that methane emissions created by volcanic activity may have played a significant role in the event. The new study chimes with previous research asserting that what caused the extinction event was most likely the disastrous impacts of a period of intense global warming. But it also reveals that large amounts of high-temperature methane, resulting from the massive volcanic activity, may have also contributed significantly to the warming. Before further exploring the findings about the Late Permian Mass Extinction, did you ever wonder what would happen if you tried to fly a drone in an elevator? Would it go up with the elevator? Let's have a look at [our video of the day]( to find out. Good morning. I’m Mert, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers had scientists’ insights on the latest internal combustion engine developments. This week they’ll look into the amazing world of bioengineered plants. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [YouTuber attempts to fly a drone in an elevator]( [Drone in an elevator.]( Will the drone move with the elevator or stay in its position? [Must Read]MUST READ [The great dying: A new study may have revealed the reason behind world's largest mass extinction]( [Apocalyptic image of Earth.]( [Apocalyptic image of Earth.]( Elen11/iStock According to a [new study by Lancaster University]( the largest mass extinction event in Earth's history may have been brought on by methane releases produced by volcanic activity burning buried fossil fuel stores. Massive amounts of high-temperature methane produced by intense volcanic activity may also have contributed to the warming, according to evidence revealed by experts. Scientists found out that up to 1440 Gigatons of methane may have been released into the atmosphere from the entire basin during the Late Permian era by sampling natural gas wells in the basin. This takes into account the volume of gas reservoirs, rock density, and the amounts of pyrobitumen. These significant methane concentrations, according to geologists, may have resulted from subsurface coal and oil deposits being heated by extremely hot volcanic “mantle plumes.” [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [A third skull is discovered in China possibly belonging to the Homo erectus species]( A [third ancient human skull]( has been discovered in central China in remarkably intact condition. It could provide a fuller picture of the diverse family tree of archaic humans living throughout Eurasia in prehistoric times, according to a report by Nature magazine published on Tuesday. It was uncovered a mere 35 meters from where two other similar skulls were found in 1989 and 1990, and it likely belongs to the same species of ancient people. The skull’s location was at a site 20 kilometers west of Yunyang in central China’s Hubei province. “It’s a wonderful discovery,” said palaeoanthropologist Amélie Vialet at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [CULTURE]CULTURE [Tech-crackdown in China: Alibaba’s Jack Ma found ‘painting watercolors’ in Japan]( Jack Ma, the founder of the $211.48 billion worth fortune Alibaba, has been located in Japan after the fallout with the Chinese communist state. The billionaire has spent nearly [six months in Japan]( after essentially vanishing from the public eye, according to a report by the British daily newspaper Financial Times (FT) published on Tuesday. "The richest business leader in China has been living in central Tokyo, amid Beijing's continuing crackdown on the country's technology sector and its most powerful businessmen," said the FT. According to friends close to him in China, the billionaire had to retreat from his hectic public life of jet-setting between meetings with top authorities in China and other countries. He turned to "painting watercolors to pass the time" instead. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [HEALTH]HEALTH [In a first, robot removes a 2.3-inch cancerous tumor from a 61-year-old's throat]( A robot at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH), United Kingdom, saved the life of a 61-year-old patient by [removing a cancerous tumor from their throat]( in what can be called a first in the country. Grandfather Martin Nugent is in high spirits after a surgical team comprising Gloucestershire Royal Hospital surgeons Simon Higgs and Steve Hornby employed Versius, a modern, cutting-edge robot from CMR Surgical, to operate earlier in July. "To have been given a second chance to see my grandchildren, my children, and my wife has meant so much to me. The team at the GRH saved my life, and I’ll be forever grateful to them for doing so," Nugent told Gloucestershire Live in an interview. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS A new discovery sheds new light on the world’s largest mass extinction event. Do you think learning more about previous mass extinctions will help us prevent future ones? [No, definitely not]( [Maybe, but I’m not that hopeful]( [Yes, it definitely will]( [Future ones? We won’t avoid this current extinction]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday we asked if you would switch your phones in case Twitter was removed from Apple's App Store. 51 percent said they wouldn’t since Twitter is not that important for them. 28 percent, on the other hand, don't have an iPhone already. 51% Nope. Twitter is not that important 28% I don't have an iPhone already 15% Definitely 6% I'm not sure about that [9 Classy Book Scanners to Help You Embrace Digital Reading]( [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Mainstays Patio Heater]( [image]( [CIARRA Ductless Under Cabinet Range Hood]( [image]( [Real Flame Electric Fireplace TV Stand]( [image]( [Cosmo Ductless Island Range Hood]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - This [space debris removal company]( is on a singular mission to clean Earth's orbit. [premium] - Using nanodiamonds to [convert a greenhouse gas]( to an industrial raw material. (TechXplore) - The great planet debate: [Pluto's redefinition]( is still controversial 15 years later. [premium] - Scientists develop [smartwatch-like health trackers]( for cows. (The Guardian) - A promising [vaginal lube contraceptive]( works by engineering mucus instead of killing sperm. - Toyota confirms [Grand Highlander SUV]( with hybrid max powertrain. (Car and Drivers) - World’s [first carbon-eating concrete blocks]( are weeks away from commercial use. [premium] Prepared by Mert Erdemir Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here](. © Copyright 2022 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 205 Hudson St New York, NY, 10013, USA [Interesting Engineering]