NOVA 50x14 - Ancient Earth: Inferno

252 million years ago, the most devastating mass extinction ofall time abruptly wiped out around 90% of all species on Earth.The culprits were the biggest volcanic eruptions the world hasever seen, emitting some 700 thousand cubic miles of magma androck. Volcanic gasses permeated the atmosphere and acidifiedthe oceans while toxic gasses destroyed the ozone layer,bathing the planet in destructive UV radiation. The event –now called "The Great Dying" – came close to wiping out alllife on the planet. Follow scientists as they piece togethergeologic evidence from the deep past and clues from today'secosystems to discover how life made it through and evolvedinto the astonishing variety we see around us today.