Rock gas emissions from metamorphic rocks linked to ancient climate shifts and mass extinctions

A new study from Florida State University shows that natural sulfur and carbon released from metamorphic rocks can drive ancient climate swings and mass extinctions, similar to volcanic emissions. The research combines geochemistry and atmospheric science to demonstrate how these emissions cause both cooling spikes from sulfur aerosols and long-term warming from carbon dioxide, leading to dramatic ecosystem changes over millennia. This finding challenges the long-held view that volcanic eruptions were the primary trigger for ancient mass extinctions. The study highlights how deep earth processes can influence climate and extinction events, providing insights into Earth's interconnected systems. Understanding these natural emissions helps scientists better predict how large scale environmental changes may unfold in the future.