When Did Dinosaurs Go Extinct?
The Timeline of Dinosaur Existence
Dinosaurs first appeared during the Mesozoic Era, which spanned from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago. This era is divided into three periods: the Triassic, the Jurassic, and the Cretaceous.
During the Triassic period, which lasted from approximately 252 to 201 million years ago, dinosaurs evolved and diversified into various groups. By the Jurassic period, which began around 201 million years ago and lasted for approximately 56 million years, dinosaurs had become dominant land animals.
The Cretaceous period followed the Jurassic, lasting from approximately 145 to 66 million years ago. This period saw the emergence of new dinosaur species and the expansion of existing ones. It was during the Late Cretaceous that many of the most well-known dinosaurs, such as the T. rex and Triceratops, lived.
Unfortunately, the Cretaceous period also marked the end of the dinosaurs. Around 66 million years ago, a mass extinction event occurred, wiping out the non-avian dinosaurs and many other species. The cause of this extinction event is still debated, but it is widely believed to have been triggered by a massive asteroid impact.
Theories About Dinosaur Extinction
There are several theories about what caused the mass extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. Some of the most widely accepted theories include:
Asteroid Impact: One of the most popular theories is that a massive asteroid impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. According to this theory, the impact created a huge dust cloud that blocked out the sun, leading to a global cooling effect that made it difficult for dinosaurs and other animals to survive.
Volcanic Activity: Another theory suggests that increased volcanic activity during the Late Cretaceous period caused the extinction event. This theory proposes that volcanic eruptions released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect that disrupted the global climate.
Climate Change: A third theory proposes that gradual climate change over time, rather than a single catastrophic event, led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This theory suggests that changes in sea level and global temperatures over millions of years caused a decline in dinosaur populations.
Disease: Some scientists have suggested that disease may have played a role in the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, there is little evidence to support this theory.
While these theories are still debated, the asteroid impact theory remains the most widely accepted explanation for the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs.
The Role of Asteroid Impact in Dinosaur Extinction
The asteroid impact theory proposes that a massive asteroid, estimated to have been around 6 miles in diameter, struck the Earth at the end of the Cretaceous period, causing a mass extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs and many other species.
The impact would have had devastating effects on the environment. It is believed that the impact created a huge dust cloud that blocked out the sun, leading to a global cooling effect that made it difficult for dinosaurs and other animals to survive. The impact would have also caused massive fires and tsunamis, further disrupting the environment.
Evidence of the asteroid impact has been found around the world. In particular, a layer of sediment dating to the end of the Cretaceous period has been found to contain high levels of iridium, a rare element found in asteroids but not commonly found on Earth. This layer of sediment is known as the K-Pg boundary and is believed to mark the time of the impact.
While the asteroid impact theory is widely accepted, some scientists continue to debate the extent to which the impact caused the mass extinction event. Some argue that other factors, such as volcanic activity or gradual climate change, may have also played a role. Nonetheless, the asteroid impact theory remains the most widely accepted explanation for the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs.
Surviving Dinosaurs and Their Modern-Day Relatives
While the non-avian dinosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, some dinosaurs survived and evolved into the birds we know today. Birds are considered to be the only surviving group of dinosaurs.
Scientists believe that birds evolved from small, feathered theropods, a group of bipedal meat-eating dinosaurs that included the likes of the T. rex and Velociraptor. Over millions of years, these small theropods evolved into birds, developing wings and other adaptations for flight.
Today, there are over 10,000 species of birds that are descended from dinosaurs. While birds are the most obvious modern-day relatives of dinosaurs, there are other animals that are considered to be close relatives as well. For example, crocodiles are believed to be more closely related to dinosaurs than to any other living reptiles.
Other animals that are considered to be dinosaur relatives include turtles, lizards, and snakes. While these animals may not resemble dinosaurs in appearance, they share many traits with their extinct relatives, including the way their skulls are constructed and the way they lay their eggs.
Discoveries and Ongoing Research about Dinosaur Extinction
Since the discovery of the non-avian dinosaur extinction event, scientists have been working to uncover more information about what caused this mass extinction. Ongoing research and new discoveries continue to shed light on this mysterious event.
One area of research is focused on the role of the asteroid impact in the extinction event. Scientists are working to better understand the effects of the impact and how it may have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. For example, researchers are studying the geological record to try to understand how the impact affected the global climate and disrupted ecosystems.
Other areas of research are focused on the surviving dinosaurs and their evolution into birds. Scientists are working to better understand the genetic and anatomical changes that led to the evolution of birds from small theropod dinosaurs.
New discoveries are also being made all the time. In recent years, several new dinosaur species have been discovered, providing new insights into the diversity of these ancient animals. For example, in 2019, scientists announced the discovery of a new species of dinosaur called Ubirajara jubatus, which had long, fur-like feathers and a bony crest on its head.
Overall, ongoing research and new discoveries are helping to paint a clearer picture of the end of the dinosaur era and the evolution of these remarkable animals.
