What was the largest mass extinction in Earth's history associated with?

The largest mass extinction in Earth's history is indeed associated with the extinction of a significant percentage of both marine and terrestrial species. This event, commonly referred to as the Permian-Triassic extinction event, occurred around 252 million years ago and is characterized by the alarming loss of approximately 96% of marine species and around 70% of terrestrial species. This catastrophic loss in biodiversity is believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including massive volcanic eruptions, climate change, and changes in ocean chemistry, which drastically affected life on Earth.

The magnitude of this extinction event makes it the most severe in Earth's history, demonstrating its profound impact on ecosystems and evolutionary trajectories that followed. Understanding the scale of this extinction helps highlight the fragility of life and the complexities of ecological relationships over geological time.