FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SHATTERING KABOOMS, VOLCANO EDITION: Scientists Shed New Light on Ancient Apocalypse That Affected the Entire Planet. “Around 183 million years ago, during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), volcanic eruptions in what is now South Africa released approximately 20,500 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere and oceans over a span of 300 to 500 thousand years. This significant influx of CO2 led to severe oxygen depletion in marine environments, resulting in a widespread extinction of marine life.”