Double Mass Extinctions and the Volcanogenic Dark Matter Scenario

TL;DR

This paper proposes that volcanogenic dark matter interactions can explain the dual peaks observed in major mass extinctions, linking dark matter accumulation to volcanic activity and extinction pulses.

Contribution

It introduces a novel volcanogenic dark matter model that accounts for the dual extinction peaks and associated biological effects in paleontological records.

Findings

Dark matter accumulation causes excess heat and superplume eruptions.

Volcanic activity linked to dark matter explains extinction peaks.

Extinction pulses may result from dark matter interactions with organisms.

Abstract

A few of the major mass extinctions of paleontology have recently been found to consist of two distinct extinction peaks at higher resolution. A viable explanation for this remains elusive. In this paper it is shown that the recently proposed volcanogenic dark matter model can explain this puzzling characteristic of these extinctions. The accumulation and annihilation of dark matter in the center of the Earth due to the passage of a clump leads to excess heat generation with the consequent ejection of superplumes, followed by massive volcanism and attendant mass extinctions. This is preceded by an extinction pulse due to carcinogenesis arising from the direct interaction of the clumped dark matter with living organisms.