The latest Permian extinction (LPE), ca. 252 Ma, represents the most severe extinction event in Earth’s history. The cause is still debated, but widespread marine anoxic to euxinic (H2S rich) conditions, from deep to shallow water environments, are commonly suggested. As a proxy for marine oxygen levels, we analyzed δ98/95Mo of two LPE sections that represent a gradient in water depth on the northwest margin of Pangea. Results from deep-water slope environments show a large shift in δ98/95Mo values from –2.02‰ to +2.23‰ at the extinction horizon, consistent with onset of euxinic conditions. In contrast, sub-storm wave base shelf environments show little change in the molybdenum isotopic composition (–1.34‰ to +0.05‰), indicating ongoing oxic conditions across the LPE. These results indicate that areas of the continental shelf of northwest Pangea underwent mass extinction under oxic conditions throughout the LPE event, and that shallow-water anoxia was therefore not a global phenomenon.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.