A recent study conducted by researchers from McGill University and the University of California at Berkeley suggests that alongside the famous meteor impact, massive volcanic eruptions played a significant role in the mass extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
Report informs via foreign media that the study reveals that these volcanic eruptions, known as the Deccan Traps, occurred before, during, and after the meteor collision. The eruptions emitted gases that shielded sunlight, leading to a significant cooling effect on the Earth’s atmosphere for centuries. The combination of these volcanic emissions and the meteor impact proved to be catastrophic for the dinosaurs.
Dr. Don Baker, a co-author of the study, explains that the meteor impact was the final blow to the already struggling dinosaurs. The climate changes caused by the volcanic eruptions made it difficult for the reptiles to survive, and the meteor impact was the ultimate extinction event.
Previous research pointed to a drop in Earth’s temperature before the meteorite hit, but the cause was unknown. The team of researchers identified the Deccan Traps as a potential volcanic explanation due to the enormous outpourings of lava that occurred during the time of dinosaur extinction.
The team developed a novel technique to measure sulfur and fluorine concentrations in minerals from the Deccan Traps. The findings revealed high levels of sulfur, enough to cause a major drop in global temperature. This level of volcanic activity, covering hundreds of thousands of square miles, is rare in geological history.
The researchers compare these eruptions to the powerful Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, which caused global temperatures to drop by half a degree over a year. By comparison, the ancient eruptions were even more significant, ejecting up to a hundred cubic kilometers of magma. This would have resulted in a dramatic and persistent drop in temperature, resembling a perpetual winter.
These climate changes likely occurred rapidly, with each passing year getting colder than the previous one. The dinosaurs, already struggling to adapt, did not have enough time to survive the extreme conditions.
While the meteor impact is often the highlight of discussions around dinosaur extinction, this study sheds light on the importance of volcanic eruptions. The researchers emphasize the significance of this discovery in understanding the potential consequences of rapid climate change. Lessons from the past serve as a cautionary tale for the present climate crisis we face today.