Why Dinosaurs Became Extinct
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Approximately 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period, dinosaurs suddenly disappeared from Earth. This mass extinction event, known as the ‘K-Pg extinction event,’ was caused by multiple factors working in combination, but the most widely accepted theory is the asteroid impact theory.
A massive asteroid, approximately 10-15km in diameter, struck near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This impact created the 180km-wide Chicxulub crater. This catastrophic event triggered global environmental changes. The enormous energy released during the impact caused massive tsunamis and earthquakes, and ejected tremendous amounts of dust and particles into the atmosphere. dbwholesaler.com
This dust cloud blocked sunlight, resulting in what scientists call an “impact winter.” Photosynthesis was greatly reduced, causing plant ecosystems to collapse, which was fatal for herbivorous dinosaurs and the carnivorous dinosaurs that preyed on them. Additionally, acid rain fell, severely damaging marine ecosystems.
Besides the asteroid impact, extensive volcanic activity in the Deccan Traps of India continued for hundreds of thousands of years, releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere. This accelerated climate change, and sea level fluctuations also contributed to ecosystem instability.
Interestingly, not all dinosaurs went extinct. Birds, descendants of theropod dinosaurs, survived the K-Pg extinction event and continue to thrive today. Their small size, rapid reproduction rates, and varied dietary habits were advantageous for their survival.
The extinction of dinosaurs represents one of the most dramatic events in Earth’s history. Their disappearance allowed mammals to flourish, eventually leading to the emergence of humans. The dinosaur extinction serves as a significant example of ecosystem vulnerability and the impact of cosmic catastrophes on our planet.
A massive asteroid, approximately 10-15km in diameter, struck near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This impact created the 180km-wide Chicxulub crater. This catastrophic event triggered global environmental changes. The enormous energy released during the impact caused massive tsunamis and earthquakes, and ejected tremendous amounts of dust and particles into the atmosphere. dbwholesaler.com
A massive asteroid, approximately 10-15km in diameter, struck near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This impact created the 180km-wide Chicxulub crater. This catastrophic event triggered global environmental changes. The enormous energy released during the impact caused massive tsunamis and earthquakes, and ejected tremendous amounts of dust and particles into the atmosphere. dbwholesaler.com