The dinosaurs disappeared about 65 million years ago due to the impact of a large meteorite that caused major climate changes and ecological disruptions leading to their mass extinction.
About 66 million years ago, a giant meteorite about 10 to 15 kilometers in diameter struck the Earth at the location that is now Mexico (Chicxulub crater). Imagine a massive explosion releasing energy equivalent to billions of atomic bombs. It caused huge tsunamis, giant fires due to the burning rocks propelled, and projected a thick cloud of dust into the atmosphere. The direct consequence? Sunlight was blocked for several years, leading to an extreme planetary winter. No more sunlight: no more vegetation, thus not much to eat, in short, a completely disrupted food chain. The dinosaurs, unable to adapt to this new climate disaster, did not survive for long, paving the way for other species that were better adapted.
About 66 million years ago, gigantic volcanic eruptions occurred, particularly in India, in an area called the Deccan Traps. These volcanoes released enormous amounts of toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. This led to serious ocean acidification and caused a short-term cooling of the planet, followed paradoxically by a long-term warming. Life on land and at sea was severely impacted: ecosystems were disrupted, food became scarce, which may have played a significant role in the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species.
During the time when dinosaurs dominated the planet, the climate underwent several periods of significant upheaval. For example, the impact of the famous meteorite propelled enormous amounts of dust into the atmosphere, darkening the sky for years and causing a drastic drop in temperatures. Many plants could no longer photosynthesize properly, leading to a collapse of the food chain. At other times, intense volcanic activity released large quantities of carbon dioxide and sulfur into the air. The result: significant greenhouse effects in some areas, and a sudden cooling in others. These rapid and intense changes left the dinosaurs little chance to adapt, as they were accustomed to relatively stable climates. In short, in the face of these upheavals, they were simply unable to keep up.
Over time, new species evolved and adapted to their environment. Some creatures, like mammals, were small and fast. They needed less food and easily adapted to new ecological challenges. On the other hand, many dinosaurs had become hyper-specialized, with very specific diets or habitats. As a result, when the environment changed suddenly, they were unable to respond effectively. Moreover, competition for resources became fierce, with some species gaining an advantage over the dinosaurs. Less adapted, dinosaurs declined, eventually disappearing completely.
The contemporary mammals of the dinosaurs were modest in size, often comparable to that of mice or small rodents, which favored their survival due to limited food requirements and the ability to easily take shelter.
During the period of intense volcanic activity, the massive volcanic eruptions of the Deccan Traps in India released millions of tons of toxic gases and dust, significantly exacerbating the climate cooling that had already begun.
Fossils indicate that several species of dinosaurs were already in decline long before the appearance of the giant meteorite, due in part to ecological changes and increased competition between species.
Some scientists believe that modern birds are actually the direct descendants of small surviving theropod dinosaurs, making sparrows and chickens our contemporary dinosaurs.
Absolutely. Several fossils have confirmed the existence of feathered dinosaurs. It is now estimated that many theropod dinosaurs (the group that includes the famous Tyrannosaurus rex) had feathers or proto-feathers.
The mass extinction of the dinosaurs, known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, occurred about 66 million years ago, over a relatively short period on a geological scale, likely spanning a few thousand years.
Yes, mammals already existed during the era of the dinosaurs. However, they were generally small in size and led a discreet, nocturnal life, thus avoiding direct competition with the large dinosaurs.
Yes, new species of dinosaurs continue to be regularly discovered thanks to excavations and scientific studies conducted around the world. These researches enhance our understanding of ancient ecosystems and the interactions between prehistoric species.
No, some flying dinosaurs survived the mass extinction and gradually evolved into the birds we know today.
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