Hypercanes: a possible link in global extinction scenarios

Bolide impacts and large-scale volcanic eruptions have been proposed as possible cauues of the massive extinction of life that has occurred episodically in Earth's history. In spite of the catastrophic disruption of the local environment that accompanies bolide impacts and volcanic eruptions, it has been difficult to explain why these events sometimes lead to global extinction of species. It is proposed that, in some cases, the missing link, may be provided by hypercanes, runaway hurricanes that are capable of injecting massive amounts of water and aerosols into the middle and upper stratosphere, where they may have profound effects on atmospheric chemistry and radiative transfer. -from Authors