And yet the dinosaurs became extinct because of the impact of the Chicxulub asteroid, scientists have found
Source:One mystery less — the dinosaurs became extinct because of the asteroid
Perhaps, for anybody not a secret that in the scientific community, the debate continues about what caused the death of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. So, recently we to you the results of studies showing that dinosaurs may well have to die before the fall of the asteroid Chicxulub. The fact is that due to large-scale volcanic activity in the Earth's atmosphere was observed very high concentrations of mercury. However, the new study seems to finally dot the “I”, putting an end to years of debate. Tell that learned scholar.
What happened on Earth 65 million years ago?
About 65 million years ago an asteroid with a diameter of 10 km struck the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and killed most species on our planet. In the fall, were released into the atmosphere large quantities of molten material and gases which caused acid rain, acidification of surface waters of the oceans and the sudden warming that lasted for years. Then came that lasted decades.
However, scientists do not always agree with what asteroid was the cause of the mass death . Part of the research community believed that the intense volcanic activity also contributed to the decline of wildlife. Thus, recently, experts found out that volcanism in the late Cretaceous period coincided with mass extinction. Indeed, two events of planetary importance, which more or less coincide in time, gave rise to a discussion about which of the two events was the cause of the disappearance: could the volcanism to weaken ecosystems, or the reason was a meteor.
Why killed the dinosaurs?
According to the latest study, which was published in the journal , the volcanic activity did not play a direct role in the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. According to the team led by scientists from Yale University (), the only cause of death of wildlife was an asteroid. As the researchers write, volcanoes can actually cause the mass extinction, as they produce gases such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, which can oxidize the planet. However, volcanic activity and the associated warming occurred before and after impact, not during extinction.
Volcanic activity was not to blame
As the results showed, with the disappearance of the giant lizards coincided only the fall of an asteroid. Later a new eruptive phase has slowed the recovery of ecosystems. Volcanic activity in the Cretaceous period caused a gradual global warming of about 2°C, but not mass extinction. To come to these conclusions, the researchers analyzed the data analyses collected from the oceans and combined record of climatic, biotic and carbon cycles obtained from sediments and sea , such as teeth and the shells of mollusks, and compared them with various scenarios of volcanic eruptions and their impact. As a result, the researchers were able to create a detailed reconstruction of the global temperature of the period.
Thus, the researchers demonstrate that a large part of the emission of gas occurred long before the asteroid strike, and that Chicxulub caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Well, mystery solved!
Recommended
Can genes create the perfect diet for you?
Diet on genotype can be a way out for many, but it still has a lot of questions Don't know what to do to lose weight? DNA tests promise to help you with this. They will be able to develop the most individual diet, because for this they will use the m...
How many extraterrestrial civilizations can exist nearby?
If aliens exist, why don't we "hear" them? In the 12th episode of Cosmos, which aired on December 14, 1980, co-author and host Carl Sagan introduced viewers to the same equation of astronomer Frank Drake. Using it, he calculated the potential number ...
Why does the most poisonous plant in the world cause severe pain?
The pain caused to humans by the Gimpi-gympie plant can drive him crazy Many people consider Australia a very dangerous place full of poisonous creatures. And this is a perfectly correct idea, because this continent literally wants to kill everyone w...
Related News
Paleontologists have found fossils of ancient arachnid creatures
Scientists found an ancestor of modern Scorpions every year Paleontologists find under the ground thousands of remains of ancient animals. As ancient bones are very many, scientists simply do not have time for careful study and fo...
Is it possible to teach a wolf to carry the team?
Contrary to stereotypes, some wolves are quite well exposed to training Dogs are among the most intelligent animals on our planet. They are so intelligent that their owners wish to teach them to perform commands such as "sit", "do...
In the United States found a new species of wasp that can turn their victims into zombies
One of the parasitic wasps of the species Acrotaphus In the first half of 2019, we talked about that could turn a rain of spiders at zombies and use their bodies to create durable shelters from the web. These parasitic creatures a...
The Earth's oceans heat up like every second is falling five atomic bombs
the Inhabitants of the sea and ocean depths do not have time to adapt to the rapid changes of temperature We often about climate change and how it affects the Earth's oceans. So, according to the latest International panel on clim...
Why are scientists so sure that the Neanderthals were skilled swimmers?
the Neanderthals could not develop bipedalism, but they know how to swim How do you imagine our distant ancestors, the Neanderthals who lived thousands of years ago? Perhaps, in your imagination a picture with gloomy people with c...
Creepy experiment shows how cats eat human corpses
still from the TV series "Sabrina the teenage witch." the Internet is very much very unpleasant stories about all sorts of crimes, and other terrible situation. For example, surf the world wide web, you may stumble upon a article ...
The form of the immortal trees can suffer from stress
Ginkgo biloba can experience stress Ginkgo biloba — a living fossil among the trees. While the world has repeatedly endured large-scale climate change and mass extinction, the Ginkgo or maiden tree remains the same as it has...
The temperature of the oceans has reached record levels
the World ocean has warmed at an alarming rate Being a major part of the hydrosphere of the Earth, oceans occupy more than 70% of its entire surface, thus playing a huge role in shaping the climate on our planet. In connection wit...
Solved the secret of the Millennium Ginkgo tree
Ginkgo Trees listed in the Red book and are under threat of extinction in the wild. the Ginkgo Tree is often called a living fossil. This unique plant is unique in the world of flora, and the lifespan is more than 1,000 years. Gin...
#video | Bacteria can come together and create patterns in the form of flowers
Mixing different bacteria you can see the amazing patterns. Microscopic bacteria were the first living creatures that inhabited the Earth, and at the moment they are essential for our healthy life. We can't see them, but millions ...
How to kill the most hardy creatures in the world?
Tardigrades are among the most tenacious creatures on Earth Regular readers of our website are probably familiar with the amazing abilities of microscopic creatures called tardigrades. These creatures are known for having survived...
Why the sharing of food can be healthy?
Eating food in good company can be more rewarding than alone. is full of all sorts of articles giving advice about what and how to eat without harm for health. Thus, according to an article published on the portal , on our overal...
Evidence of extreme climate change were found on the ancient runes of the Vikings
an Ancient rune stone can tell about climate changes in the distant past an Ancient rune stone can shed light on climate change that took place long before the climatic events of the XXI century. To this unexpected conclusion came...
#videos | African grey parrots help each other for free. But why?
Jaco gratis help each other and do not envy those who have more food African grey parrots Jaco was the first bird species that understand when another animal needs help and actually doing it. This puts Jacko on a par with bonobos ...
Why at high radiation levels can be seen strange flashes of light?
flashes of light before the eyes can be explained by Cherenkov radiation Patients undergoing radiotherapy complain of strange flashes of light that occur before my eyes during treatment, even when their eyes are closed. As the por...
Scientists have unraveled one of the strangest mysteries of Leonardo da Vinci
the Painting “Salvator Mundi” has attracted special attention of scientists due to special glass ball in the hands of depicted Jesus Christ the Famous Italian artist and genius engineer Leonardo da Vinci not only left a mysterious...
Can the human brain does not decay for thousands of years?
A human looks like this we All know that the body of the buried person eventually begins to decompose and, in the end, he leaves only a skeleton. According to scheletrone of the corpse may take from several months to decades, depe...
Why some shampoos and Soaps can be harmful to health?
So if harmful products that contain SLS? the Harm to the human body the famous SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate — a common additive in cosmetics and detergents, have long been controversial to modern scholars. However, the versa...
Is it harmful to drink carbonated water?
Experts agree on one thing — better carbonated water than carbonated drinks. Most of us know that to be healthy you need to eat right and drink . Maintaining hydration helps the body regulate body temperature, deliver nutrie...
Why do scientists put on a cuttlefish 3D glasses?
Cuttlefish 3D glasses Can you right now to name a few facts about the cuttlefish? If not, let us remember the school program and excerpts from documentaries like , which tells about these amazing creatures. So cuttlefish are cepha...
Comments (0)
This article has no comment, be the first!