Approximately 66 million years ago, a cataclysmic event forever changed Earth’s evolutionary trajectory. The mass extinction that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs redirected the course of life on our planet, eventually allowing mammals to diversify and humans to emerge. But what if that asteroid had missed Earth or the dinosaurs had somehow survived? This tantalizing alternative ...
For paleontologists, the hunt for dinosaur fossils begins not just with a keen eye for bones, but with an intimate understanding of Earth’s geological processes. The science of geology provides the roadmap that leads researchers to fossil-rich locations and helps them understand the ancient environments where dinosaurs once lived. From sedimentary rock formations to the ...
In the vast timeline of Earth’s history, few geological features have played as significant a role in shaping life as Pangaea, the supercontinent that once dominated our planet. This massive landmass, existing approximately 335 to 175 million years ago, created the stage upon which dinosaurs would evolve, thrive, and diversify. Pangaea’s existence fundamentally shaped dinosaur ...
The Mesozoic Era, spanning from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago, was a dynamic period of Earth’s history dominated by dinosaurs. Beyond the fascinating creatures that roamed the planet, this era was characterized by tremendous geological activity that shaped continents, transformed ecosystems, and ultimately contributed to one of the most significant mass extinctions in ...
The ice-free polar regions of the Mesozoic Era present a fascinating geological and paleontological context that fundamentally shaped dinosaur evolution and migration patterns. Unlike today’s frozen Arctic and Antarctic landscapes, the poles during the dinosaur age were remarkably warm, hospitable environments that supported diverse ecosystems. This absence of polar ice caps created unique opportunities for ...
At the end of the Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago, Earth experienced one of the most significant mass extinction events in its history. This catastrophic event wiped out about 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs. For decades, scientists debated the primary cause of this extinction: was it the massive asteroid impact ...
