What is another word for paleocene-eocene thermal maximum?
Pronunciation: [pˌe͡ɪliːə͡ʊsˈiːnˈiːəsˌiːn θˈɜːmə͡l mˈaksɪməm] (IPA) 
The Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) was a period of extreme warming that took place about 56 million years ago. It was caused by the release of vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, and resulted in major changes in the Earth's climate and ecological systems. Some synonyms for the PETM include the Early Eocene thermal maximum, the P-E event, and the Paleocene-Eocene boundary event. Others simply refer to it as the "thermal maximum" or the "Eocene warming event". Regardless of the name, the PETM is a fascinating and important period in Earth's history, and has much to teach us about the impacts of rapid climate change.
