Aptian extinction

The Aptian extinction was an extinction event of the early Cretaceous Period. It is dated to c. 116 or 117 million years ago, in the middle of the Aptian stage of the geological time scale, and has sometimes been termed the mid-Aptian extinction event as a result.

It is classified as a minor extinction event, rather than a major event like the famous Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event that brought about the end of the "age of dinosaurs" and the Mesozoic Era. The Aptian event is most readily detected among marine rather than terrestrial fossil deposits. Nonetheless, "The Aptian Extinction Event is an episode of importance, deserving a higher status among other minor events." [Archangelsky, Sergio. "The Ticó Flora (Patagonia) and the Aptian Extinction Event." "Acta Paleobotanica" 41(2), 2001, pp. 115-22.]

The Aptian event may have been causally connected with the Rahjamal Traps volcanism episode in the Bengal region of India, associated with the Kerguelen "hot spot" of volcanic activity. [Courtillot, Vincent. "Evolutionary Catastrophes: The Science of Mass Extinctions." Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1999; p. 95.] (At the time in question, c. 116–117 Ma, India was located in the southern Indian ocean; plate tectonics had not yet moved the Indian landmass into its present position.)

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