Earth's future supercontinent may be too hot for most mammals.

The article focuses on climate projections for Earth's next supercontinent, expected to form in about 250 million years, potentially creating conditions largely uninhabitable for mammals. Using simulations of a supercontinent scenario called Pangaea Ultima, researchers found that increased volcanism and reduced carbon sequestration could raise atmospheric CO2 to levels between 410 and 816 parts per million, driving global temperatures 5.5°C to 9.4°C higher than today. These extreme temperatures would restrict mammal-suitable habitats to only 8% to 25% of the land, compared to about 66% currently, likely causing a prolonged mammal extinction event. The study acknowledges that other supercontinent configurations and additional ecological factors could alter these outcomes but suggests that most future supercontinents will pose severe climate challenges.