The eruption of the Siberian Trapps led to a catastrophe of universal proportions. As a result, about 80% of all species that existed on earth became extinct.
However, scientists from China and the United States managed to find a place that was not affected by the Permian extinction.
According to the scientific journal Science Advances (SciAdv), it is located in northeastern China in Xinjiang. A study of plant fossils from the area showed that not only did they not go extinct, but instead, they continued to evolve and replace older species.
Mostly, plants that were able to preserve underground structures such as roots and stems, as well as seeds, showed resistance to the effects of the disaster.
Also, the Xinjiang region during the Permian period was located in high latitudes, where the climate was more humid and temperate, which created favorable conditions for survival.
Earlier it was reported that scientists found in permafrost giant viruses that can infect amoebas. It was also said that the melting of Arctic ice carries the risk of releasing ancient viruses.