Scientists have long wondered if dinosaurs were struggling before an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago. Recent research suggests that, at least in North America, they were thriving right up to that catastrophic event.
The study focused on fossils found in the Kirtland Formation of northern New Mexico, a site known for interesting dinosaur remains. These fossils are dated to around 400,000 years before the asteroid impact, a brief time in geologic terms. By examining volcanic glass particles in sandstone and the alignment of magnetic minerals in mudstone, researchers pinpointed this time frame.
Daniel Peppe, a paleontologist from Baylor University, emphasized that “distinct communities” of dinosaurs existed before the mass extinction. Some notable fossils from the site include Tyrannosaurus rex and a Triceratops-like herbivore. The study also highlights the giant Alamosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur that could weigh over 30 tons and stretch nearly 100 feet long. Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh, who co-authored the study, remarked that Alamosaurus was indeed alive to witness the asteroid strike, showing that dinosaurs were not just surviving but thriving.
These findings contradict the idea that dinosaurs were in decline. The fossil evidence in New Mexico differs from those found in Montana, suggesting a more complex picture of dinosaur life just before the asteroid impact. While some paleontologists, like Mike Benton of the University of Bristol, welcomed the new insights, they cautioned that this research represents just one site. Fossils found around the world need to be examined for a fuller understanding of dinosaur populations at the time.
This research adds to a growing body of evidence. For instance, a 2019 study indicated that the asteroid strike initiated a day of chaos, featuring fires, earthquakes, and tsunamis that led to long-term global cooling. Researchers continue to seek more evidence to understand the variety of dinosaur species that existed before the extinction event.
In summary, while our understanding of dinosaur life continues to evolve, these recent findings shed light on their last days, illustrating a time when they were formidable and diverse, just before a sudden end. For more on this research, you can read the published findings in the journal Science here.
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New Mexico, Archaeologist, Dinosaur
