A recent study analyzing 89 major geological events over the past 260 million years suggests mass extinctions, volcanic eruptions, ocean crises, and other upheavals may follow a roughly 27.5-million-year cycle.

Researchers propose multiple hypotheses to explain this pattern, including mantle convection changes, long-term orbital variations influencing climate, and potential galactic influences as the Solar System orbits the Milky Way.

The study notes that Earth's mantle circulation and interactions between the planet's surface and interior could trigger tectonic and volcanic activity over geological timescales.While no direct evidence supports these mechanisms, the timing of several large asteroid impact craters aligns with the proposed cycle.However, the paper does not claim a causal relationship, emphasizing the need for further investigation.

The findings spark debate about whether cosmic or internal Earth processes drive these periodic events, though many remain skeptical due to lack of conclusive data.