THE THIRD GREAT EXTINCTION. THE EXTINCTION AT THE END OF THE PERMIAN PERIOD. 250 Ma

Extinction rate: 95% of species.

Affected lifeforms: almost a quarter of all living families and half of all genders disappeared. Extinction of trilobites, graptolites and many groups of terrestrial insects. There was also a drastic reduction in cephalopods, corals, ammonoids, brachiopods, echinoderms and ostracods.

Main causes and consequences: various volcanic episodes and rapid global warming.