During which era did the largest mass extinction event occur?

The largest mass extinction event, known as the Permian-Triassic extinction event, occurred during the Paleozoic Era. This event, which took place approximately 252 million years ago, is believed to have led to the extinction of around 90-96% of all marine species and a significant number of terrestrial species.

The significance of this extinction event is paramount because it reshaped the course of evolution and laid the groundwork for the rise of the dinosaurs in the subsequent Mesozoic Era. Understanding the timeline of these eras helps contextualize the scale and impact of this mass extinction. The Paleozoic Era itself is characterized by the development of diverse life forms, and this transition marked the end of that diversity and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of life on Earth.