Scientists from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels in Belgium have uncovered the cause of the dinosaur extinction, confirming that an asteroid impact 65 million years ago caused serious atmospheric dust pollution and winter impact. According to an article published in the journal Natural GeologyThe study confirmed the long-held hypothesis that dinosaurs went extinct due to reduced sunlight caused by dust.
In recent years, an alternative hypothesis has emerged that the wintertime impact is due to sulfur or soot emissions from large forest fires. Some scientists believed that the dust particles were too large and could not remain in the atmosphere for long.
In a new study, scientists were able to measure dust particles formed immediately after an asteroid impact. The samples were found in ancient lake sediments at the Tanis site in North Dakota. Particle sizes ranged from 0.8 to 8 micrometers.
The fine silicate dust resulting from the destruction of rocks during the impact remained in the atmosphere for approximately 15 years, causing global cooling to 15 degrees Celsius. Climate models showed that dust played a major role in the mass extinction, leading to a catastrophic reduction in photosynthesis for at least a year.
Recently scientists in Australia to create Fossil of a giant dinosaur spider. Scientists believe the spider once lived and hunted in areas that were lush rainforests. Experts named the fossil “Megamonodontium mccluskyi” and believe the spider is approximately 11-16 million years old.
Environmental activists previously at the Museum of London sprayed starch in a dinosaur skeleton.