Dinosaurs Extinction
The dinosaurs extinction is often blamed on several key theories. As scientists have been unable to prove what exactly killed the dinosaurs, there are hundreds of various speculations, although only a few have gathered a lot of momentum.
One of the most popular theories on dinosaurs extinction is that there was a massive volcanic eruption that filled the skies with toxic ashes, blocked the sun, and caused a temporary ice age. This theory has gained momentum due to the fact that there is a layer of iridium where many skeletons of dinosaurs are found. Iridium is a rare mineral that is only found in meteorites or volcanic activity. While there is almost always a minor dusting of iridium, there is evidence of a presence of 30 times the normal amount. While this iridium could have been from a meteorite, many associate this residue with volcanic activity. As there are several known super volcanoes across the planet, this theory on the dinosaurs extinction continues to survive.
The second most popular theory on dinosaurs extinction is that a meteorite hit the earth and caused catastrophic damage. This theory is supported by the presence of many massive impact sites. However, the only one plausibly large enough to cause a global extinction of thousands of species is located off of the Yukatan peninsula. A meteorite would have to be at least 10 kilometers in diameter to account for the spike of the iridium in the clay layer found across the world. Calculations have shown that a meteorite that size would easily be able to cause catastrophic damage that might have been responsible for the dinosaurs extinction. As the impact from a meteorite of this size would trigger volcanic activity around the world, as well as tsunami, tidal waves, flash fires and other disasters, this theory is quickly growing repute among scientists.
There are many theories that do not have much scientific backing on the dinosaurs extinction. These include that the dinosaurs produced so much waste that the planet could not support their life, and they died out through this. There are also theories that the time of the dinosaurs was over, and they naturally declined, making way for other species. There are several theories relating to the mass, flash flooding of the planet, and many species drowning to their deaths.
Many people become paleontologists in order to try to discover for themselves what theories are more accurate in regards to the dinosaurs extinction.
