The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is an extreme carbon perturbation and global warming event, which was superimposed on the long-term Early Cenozoic warming trend. The PETM is characterized by an abrupt and large negative excursion (-2 ‰～-6 ‰) of carbon isotope compositions of marine and terrestrial sedimentary materials. Based on carbon isotope records and computer simulations, the amount of carbon totally released to the exogenic carbon cycle system is estimated to be comparable with the anticipative carbon amount that would be released to the atmosphere by burns of fossil fuels. In this paper, the authors overviewed the recent progresses of studies on the event, particularly focusing on the triggering mechanisms, estimation of released total carbon, and the climatic and ecological impacts.
