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Why did hot and dry climates become widespread late in the Permian Period?
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Permian Period
Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins near the end of the Permian Period. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are the locations of the interval's subduction zones.
The widespread hot and dry climates of the Late Permian were primarily driven by the assembly of the supercontinent of Pangea.1
This massive continental configuration fundamentally altered global climate patterns in several ways:
- Oceanic Shifts: The closure of low-latitude seaways deflected warm surface ocean currents toward higher latitudes, while cool-water upwelling developed along the western coast of Pangea.1
- Topographic Influence: Extensive mountain-building events (orogenies) created high ranges that disrupted atmospheric flow. These mountains diverted warm marine air away from continental interiors, preventing moisture from reaching many regions and leading to the expansion of deserts in tropical and subtropical areas.1
- Atmospheric Changes: While the primary drivers were tectonic, the late stages of the period saw massive volcanism from the Siberian Traps. These eruptions released vast quantities of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and further stressing terrestrial environments.12