Includes bibliographical references (p. [263]-292) and index.

"Some 250 million years ago, the earth suffered the greatest biological crisis in its history. Around 95 percent of all living species died out - a global catastrophe far greater than the dinosaurs' demise 65 million years ago. How this happened remains a mystery. But there are many competing theories. Some blame huge volcanic eruptions that covered an area as large as the continental United States; others argue for sudden changes in ocean levels and chemistry, including burps of methane gas; and still others cite the impact of an extraterrestrial object as responsible, similar to what caused the dinosaurs' extinction." "Extinction is a paleontological mystery story. Here, the world's foremost authority on the subject provides a fascinating overview of the evidence for and against a whole host of hypotheses concerning this cataclysmic event that unfolded at the end of the Permian."--Jacket.