Posted on 12/17/2019 11:15:00 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Scientists have been trying to figure out what killed off the dinosaurs for decades. Most agree the asteroid or comet that struck the Yucatan Peninsula some 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub meteorite, played a significant role in snuffing them out, but the significance of the Deccan Traps eruptions has puzzled scientists.
Now, new research -- published Monday -- suggests the volcanic activity had a significant impact on Earth's climate, and perhaps, on the dinosaurs, too.
"For the first time, we can provide insights into the distinct climatic and environmental impacts of Deccan Traps volcanism by analyzing a single material," lead study author Kyle Meyer, researcher at the University of Michigan, said. "It was incredibly surprising to see that the exact same samples where marine temperatures showed an abrupt warming signal also exhibited the highest mercury concentrations, and that these concentrations were of similar magnitude to a site of significant modern industrial mercury contamination."
Mercury is produced naturally, but it's also a byproduct of many industrial processes, including mining and coal power production. Coal plants in Virginia are responsible for the mercury contamination in Virginia's South River, where residents are warned not to drink the water or eat the river's fish.
Scientists have previously found evidence of mercury contamination in ancient sediment layers, but struggled to link the contamination with climate change. The fossil survey allowed researchers to locate evidence of the two phenomena in the same place -- fossilized biomineral remains.
"Mercury anomalies had been documented in sediments but never before in shells. Having the ability to reconstruct both climate and a volcanism indicator in the exact same materials helps us circumvent lots of problems related to relative dating," said Petersen. "So, one of the big firsts in this study is the technical proof of concept."
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
Where was Greta when the dinosaurs needed her?
Darned dinosaur SUVs!
in more important news- Phil Robertson asks “What if Mary had Aborted Jesus?”
People really should have stopped driving their SUVs back then.
They told us the Yucatan extinction event caused a ‘nuclear’ winter.
...and the poor dinosaurs didn’t have Global Totalitarian Government to save them...
"You have stolen my childhood!"
They were displaced by warm-blooded mammals.
Dino farts caused it, no doubt.
Greta and AlGore sure don’t show their age.
“...Dinosaurs faced global warming...”
Democrats will blame cave republicans for inventing fire and causing mam-made global warming.
Where was Greta when the dinosaurs needed her?
They robbed her of her childhood and immediately went into hiding ...
Two years ago it was 'nuclear' winter:
They also faced racism, sexism, homophobia, Trump getting elected 65 million years later, and that waxy buildup on the floor.
The dinosaurs were using mercury containing florescent light bulbs.
I blame Fred Flintstone
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.