What may have killed the dinosaurs?

March 21, 2008

The explanation to the dinosaurs and other species extinctions still troubles today’s researchers.

There are two theories that explain the dinosaurs extinction. One is the theory that evolves a meteorite impact that happens 65 million years ago making the atmosphere not so suitable for life. Other is the one that comes from gigantic volcano eruptions that released large amount of sulfur into the atmosphere causing devastating repercussions in the Earth climate.

Researchers say that the series of eruptions that formed the Deccan Traps at India released high amounts of both chlorine and sulfur that probably made extensive changes in the environment. After recent development in the research with new findings proving that the Deccan Traps released enough amounts of sulfur and chlorine to make a serious environmental impact 65 millions years ago, more and more researchers believe now that the volcanic theory is the right one.

Besides explaining the dinosaur extinction, this theory also explains other extinctions connecting them with the formation of the huge flood basalt provinces in the Deccan Traps. The emission of these gases into the atmosphere must have originated a widespread acid rain and aerosols of sulfuric acid causing the Earth surface cool down.

Font: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

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