Altered River Morphology in South Africa Related to the Permian-Triassic Extinction
Abstract
The Permian-Triassic transition in the Karoo Basin of South Africa was characterized by a rapid and apparently basin-wide change from meandering to braided river systems, as evidenced by preserved sedimentary facies. This radical changeover in river morphology is consistent with geomorphic consequences stemming from a rapid and major die-off of rooted plant life in the basin. Evidence from correlative nonmarine strata elsewhere in the world containing fluvial Permian-Triassic boundary sections suggests that a catastrophic terrestrial die-off of vegetation was a global event, producing a marked increase in sediment yield as well as contributing to the global δ13C excursion across the Permian-Triassic boundary.
- Publication:
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Science
- Pub Date:
- September 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.289.5485.1740
- Bibcode:
- 2000Sci...289.1740W
- Keywords:
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- GEOCHEM PHYS