Subdivision of the Silurian according to the ICS, as of 2021.[3] Vertical axis scale: millions of years ago.
The Lau event was the last of three relatively minor mass extinctions (the Ireviken, Mulde, and Lau events) during the Silurian period.[4] It had a major effect on the conodont fauna, but barely scathed the graptolites, though they suffered an extinction very shortly thereafter termed the Kozlowskii event that some authors have suggested was coeval with the Lau event and only appears asynchronous due to taphonomic reasons.[5] It coincided with a global low point in sea level caused by glacioeustasy and is closely followed by an excursion in geochemicalisotopes in the ensuing late Ludfordian faunal stage and a change in depositional regime.[6][5]
^Jeppsson, L.; Calner, M. (2007). "The Silurian Mulde Event and a scenario for secundo—secundo events". Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 93 (02): 135–154. doi:10.1017/S0263593300000377.
^Munnecke, A.; Samtleben, C.; Bickert, T. (2003). "The Ireviken Event in the lower Silurian of Gotland, Sweden-relation to similar Palaeozoic and Proterozoic events". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 195 (1): 99–124. doi:10.1016/S0031-0182(03)00304-3.
^"Chart/Time Scale". www.stratigraphy.org. International Commission on Stratigraphy.
^The Ireviken, Mulde, and Lau events, were all closely followed by isotopic excursions.