The Day The Earth Nearly Died is a British documentary produced by BBC to the science and philosophy series Horizon in 2002. The program focuses on the mystery of the Permian extinction, which scientists believe killed over 90% of all life on earth at the end of the Permian, some 250 million years ago. The program features scientists like , Vincent Courtillot, Gregory Retallack, Peter Ward, Paul Wignall, Michael Benton, Michael R. Rampino and others.