Volcanism Hypothesis

Since the discovery of fossils in the early 19th century, people have wondered how the dinosaurs went extinct. Many theories have since come about, however, even today we cannot be sure what exactly whipped out these magnificent and colossal beings. In 1679, Robert Plot found and sketched a thigh bone which he believed was from the skeleton of a giant man This fossil has since disappeared, however the drawing remains and seems to suggest it was actually a part of a megalosaurus. In 1822, Mary Ann and Gideon Mantell discovered large teeth that they believed were the remains of a huge and extinct iguana. Finally in 1841, Richard Owen realized that these fossils were far different from any known living species, and chose the name Dinosauria …show more content…
First we must ask what the evidence is for such a theory. Scientists believe that the high levels of iridium discovered in the sedimentary layer were brought there via volcanic eruptions (“What killed the dinosaurs?” n.d. para. 5). Because iridium is common in the Earth’s core, this supports the volcanism hypothesis. Iridium could have been brought to the surface by these explosive events, forming the high levels we now see in the sediment layer. In addition, there is evidence of lava flow, covering 200,000 square miles at depths of more than 6,500 feet in the Deccan region of India (“What killed the dinosaurs?” n.d. para. 4). Fractured crystals also seem to support this hypothesis. These crystals show patterns of fracturing which are caused by impacts or explosions (“What killed the dinosaurs?” n.d. para. 6). The volcanism hypothesis also states that these eruptions would have sent up clouds of smoke and dust that would block the sunlight (“Dinosaur extinction,” n.d. para. 5). By blocking the sun, the planet would have experienced climate changes, resulting in the loss of plants, then the loss of herbivorous species, and finally the death of many forms of predators. By eliminating the first part of the food web, the volcanic eruptions would have been catastrophic and could have caused the extinction of the …show more content…
Many scientists have dedicated their lives to this fascinating topic, attempting to ascertain what exactly caused the extinction of such huge and well-adapted creatures. Despite centuries of research, it seems that humans are only slightly closer to achieving an answer. Scientists have dismissed some early theories, but it is clear that more research must be done to truly understand these amazing creatures and what killed