New Evidence Suggests Volcanic Activity Contributed to End of Dinosaurs
The popular theory that an asteroid impact led to the end of the non-avian dinosaurs has long been accepted, but new evidence suggests that volcanic activity may have played a significant role in the mass extinction event. A recent analysis by an international team of researchers has revealed that the world before the asteroid strike was far from a paradise, with toxic levels of sulfur in the atmosphere contributing to climate disruptions.
The team examined rocks from the Deccan Traps, one of the largest volcanic features in West India, and found evidence of sustained sulfur emissions that could have substantially altered the global climate. The volcanic region alone released a staggering one million cubic kilometers of molten rock, and the formation of highly concentrated sulfur-containing lava coincided with the cooling Cretaceous climate.
According to University of Oslo geoscientist Sara Callegaro and colleagues, the volcanic activity could have caused repeated short-lived global drops in temperature, leading to unstable and difficult conditions for all plants and animals. This instability would have set the stage for the dinosaur extinction event, explained McGill University geochemist Don Baker.
The findings, published in Science Advances, have reignited the debate between the asteroid and volcano theories, with some researchers suggesting that the volcanic activity may have even helped life recover from the asteroid strike. However, the new evidence suggests that Deccan Traps volcanism set the stage for a global biotic crisis, forcing recurring short volcanic winters and contributing to the decline of non-avian dinosaur species over a prolonged period of time.
This research provides a new perspective on the events leading to the end of the non-avian dinosaurs, highlighting the potential role of volcanic activity in the mass extinction event. As the scientific community continues to unravel the mysteries of Earth’s history, the debate between the asteroid and volcano theories will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of interest and contention.