Cretaceous - Tertiary Mass Extinction Meteoritic Versus Volcanic Causes
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Asteroid Impact, Not Volcanism, Caused the End-Cretaceous Dinosaur Extinction
Asteroid impact, not volcanism, caused the end-Cretaceous dinosaur extinction Alfio Alessandro Chiarenzaa,b,1,2, Alexander Farnsworthc,1, Philip D. Mannionb, Daniel J. Luntc, Paul J. Valdesc, Joanna V. Morgana, and Peter A. Allisona aDepartment of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom; bDepartment of Earth Sciences, University College London, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom; and cSchool of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1TH Bristol, United Kingdom Edited by Nils Chr. Stenseth, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, and approved May 21, 2020 (received for review April 1, 2020) The Cretaceous/Paleogene mass extinction, 66 Ma, included the (17). However, the timing and size of each eruptive event are demise of non-avian dinosaurs. Intense debate has focused on the highly contentious in relation to the mass extinction event (8–10). relative roles of Deccan volcanism and the Chicxulub asteroid im- An asteroid, ∼10 km in diameter, impacted at Chicxulub, in pact as kill mechanisms for this event. Here, we combine fossil- the present-day Gulf of Mexico, 66 Ma (4, 18, 19), leaving a crater occurrence data with paleoclimate and habitat suitability models ∼180 to 200 km in diameter (Fig. 1A). This impactor struck car- to evaluate dinosaur habitability in the wake of various asteroid bonate and sulfate-rich sediments, leading to the ejection and impact and Deccan volcanism scenarios. Asteroid impact models global dispersal of large quantities of dust, ash, sulfur, and other generate a prolonged cold winter that suppresses potential global aerosols into the atmosphere (4, 18–20). These atmospheric dinosaur habitats. -
The Geologic Time Scale Is the Eon
Exploring Geologic Time Poster Illustrated Teacher's Guide #35-1145 Paper #35-1146 Laminated Background Geologic Time Scale Basics The history of the Earth covers a vast expanse of time, so scientists divide it into smaller sections that are associ- ated with particular events that have occurred in the past.The approximate time range of each time span is shown on the poster.The largest time span of the geologic time scale is the eon. It is an indefinitely long period of time that contains at least two eras. Geologic time is divided into two eons.The more ancient eon is called the Precambrian, and the more recent is the Phanerozoic. Each eon is subdivided into smaller spans called eras.The Precambrian eon is divided from most ancient into the Hadean era, Archean era, and Proterozoic era. See Figure 1. Precambrian Eon Proterozoic Era 2500 - 550 million years ago Archaean Era 3800 - 2500 million years ago Hadean Era 4600 - 3800 million years ago Figure 1. Eras of the Precambrian Eon Single-celled and simple multicelled organisms first developed during the Precambrian eon. There are many fos- sils from this time because the sea-dwelling creatures were trapped in sediments and preserved. The Phanerozoic eon is subdivided into three eras – the Paleozoic era, Mesozoic era, and Cenozoic era. An era is often divided into several smaller time spans called periods. For example, the Paleozoic era is divided into the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous,and Permian periods. Paleozoic Era Permian Period 300 - 250 million years ago Carboniferous Period 350 - 300 million years ago Devonian Period 400 - 350 million years ago Silurian Period 450 - 400 million years ago Ordovician Period 500 - 450 million years ago Cambrian Period 550 - 500 million years ago Figure 2. -
"Ringing" from an Asteroid Collision Event Which Triggered the Flood?
The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism Volume 6 Print Reference: Pages 255-261 Article 23 2008 Is the Moon's Orbit "Ringing" from an Asteroid Collision Event which Triggered the Flood? Ronald G. Samec Bob Jones University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings DigitalCommons@Cedarville provides a publication platform for fully open access journals, which means that all articles are available on the Internet to all users immediately upon publication. However, the opinions and sentiments expressed by the authors of articles published in our journals do not necessarily indicate the endorsement or reflect the views of DigitalCommons@Cedarville, the Centennial Library, or Cedarville University and its employees. The authors are solely responsible for the content of their work. Please address questions to [email protected]. Browse the contents of this volume of The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism. Recommended Citation Samec, Ronald G. (2008) "Is the Moon's Orbit "Ringing" from an Asteroid Collision Event which Triggered the Flood?," The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism: Vol. 6 , Article 23. Available at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol6/iss1/23 In A. A. Snelling (Ed.) (2008). Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Creationism (pp. 255–261). Pittsburgh, PA: Creation Science Fellowship and Dallas, TX: Institute for Creation Research. Is the Moon’s Orbit “Ringing” from an Asteroid Collision Event which Triggered the Flood? Ronald G. Samec, Ph. D., M. A., B. A., Physics Department, Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC 29614 Abstract We use ordinary Newtonian orbital mechanics to explore the possibility that near side lunar maria are giant impact basins left over from a catastrophic impact event that caused the present orbital configuration of the moon. -
Cretaceous Fossils from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Cretaceous S;cial Publication No. 18 Fossils from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal A Guide for Students and Collectors Edward M. Lauginiger / /~ / CRETACEOUS FOSSILS FROM THE CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL: A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS AND COLLECTORS By Edward M. Lauginiger Biology Teacher Academy Park High School Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania September 1988 Reprinted 1997 CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION. • 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2 PREVIOUS STUDIES. 3 FOSSILS AND FOSSILIZATION 5 Requirements for Fossilization 6 Types of Fossilization 7 GEOLOGY •• 10 CLASSIFICATON OF FOSSILS. 12 Kingdom Monera • 13 Kindgom Protista 1 3 Kingdom Plantae. 1 4 Kingdom Animalia 15 Phylum Porifera 15 Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterata). 16 Phylum Bryozoa. 16 Phylum Brachiopoda. 17 Phylum Mollusca • 18 Phylum Annelida •. 22 Phylum Arthropoda • 23 Phylum Echinodermata. 24 Phylum Chordata 24 COLLECTING LOCALITIES 28 FOSSIL CHECK LIST 30 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 33 PLATES. ••• 39 iii FIGURES Page Figure 1 • Index map of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Area. .. .. 2 Figure 2. Generalized stratigraphic column of the formations exposed at the C & D Canal. 11 Figure 3. Foraminifera 14 Figure 4. Porifera 16 Figure 5. Cnidaria 16 Figure 6. Bryozoa. 17 Figure 7. Brachiopoda. 18 Figure 8. Mollusca-Gastropoda. 19 Figure 9. Mollusca-Pelecypoda. 21 Figure 10. Mollusca-Cephalopoda 22 Figure 11. Annelida . 22 Figure 12. Arthropoda 23 Figure 13. Echinodermata. 25 Figure 1 4. Chordata . 27 Figure 1 5. Collecting localities at the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal . ... .. 29 v CRETACEOUS FOSSILS FROM THE CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL: A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS AND COLLECTORS Edward M. Lauginiger INTRODUCTION Fossil collectors have been attracted to Delaware since the late 1820s when the excavation of the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal first exposed marine fossils of Cretaceous age (Fig. -
A Fast-Growing Basal Troodontid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from The
www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN A fast‑growing basal troodontid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the latest Cretaceous of Europe Albert G. Sellés1,2*, Bernat Vila1,2, Stephen L. Brusatte3, Philip J. Currie4 & Àngel Galobart1,2 A characteristic fauna of dinosaurs and other vertebrates inhabited the end‑Cretaceous European archipelago, some of which were dwarves or had other unusual features likely related to their insular habitats. Little is known, however, about the contemporary theropod dinosaurs, as they are represented mostly by teeth or other fragmentary fossils. A new isolated theropod metatarsal II, from the latest Maastrichtian of Spain (within 200,000 years of the mass extinction) may represent a jinfengopterygine troodontid, the frst reported from Europe. Comparisons with other theropods and phylogenetic analyses reveal an autapomorphic foramen that distinguishes it from all other troodontids, supporting its identifcation as a new genus and species, Tamarro insperatus. Bone histology shows that it was an actively growing subadult when it died but may have had a growth pattern in which it grew rapidly in early ontogeny and attained a subadult size quickly. We hypothesize that it could have migrated from Asia to reach the Ibero‑Armorican island no later than Cenomanian or during the Maastrichtian dispersal events. During the latest Cretaceous (ca. 77–66 million years ago) in the run-up to the end-Cretaceous mass extinc- tion, Europe was a series of islands populated by diverse and distinctive communities of dinosaurs and other vertebrates. Many of these animals exhibited peculiar features that may have been generated by lack of space and resources in their insular habitats. -
Educator Guide
Educator Guide BACKGROUND INFORMATION Welcome to the world of the late Cretaceous Period, filled with huge carnivorous marine reptiles with double-hinged jaws and teeth in the middle of their palates. Come see gigantic flesh-eating fish big enough to swallow an adult human being whole, flying reptiles with 3-foot skulls, and the biggest sea turtles to have ever lived. Many bizarre and gigantic forms of life populated the prehistoric waters of the late Cretaceous Period. The Midwest was actually underwater at one time. Kansas has only been above sea level for the last 65 million years. Before that, it was home to a variety of sea creatures, including a 45-foot long mosasaur, a sea turtle the size of a small truck, a giant carnivorous fish, and a long-necked plesiosaur. Although these prehistoric marine animals lived during the time of Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops, they are not dinosaurs. Dinosaurs lived on land and did not have wings for flying or fins for swimming. Many Cretaceous marine fossils have been found in Western Kansas. These fossils have been found in thousands of feet of marine sediments made up of shale, chalk, limestone, and sandstone. Common Questions When was the Cretaceous period? The Cretaceous Period extended from 144 to 65 million years ago. What is a mosasaur? A mosasaur is a large marine lizard with a long body and paddle-like limbs. Mosasaurs are not dinosaurs. The chief feature that distinguishes them from dinosaurs is the great flexibility and power of their jaws. Unlike most monstrous reptiles of the past, they still have living relatives, the giant monitor lizards such as the Komodo Dragons. -
Dinosaurs.Pdf
DINOSAURS COMPILED BY HOWIE BAUM THIS IS THE FIRST OF 3 PAGES THAT HELP TO PUT THE 165 MILLION YEAR REIGN OF THE DINOSAURS, IN PERSPECTIVE. IT IS A CALENDAR THAT IS DESIGNED SO THAT ALL OF THE TIME, SINCE THE BIG BANG HAPPENED – 13.8 BILLION YEAR AGO, UP TO THE PRESENT TIME, IS COMPRESSED INTO 1 YEAR. period First Dinosaurs Dinosaurs lived for 165 million years !! Humans have only existed for 0.004% of the age of the Earth ! The rocks of the Cincinnatian series were deposited between approximately 451 and 443 million years ago, during the Ordovician period, when all the land was underwater ! BASIC DINOSAUR FACTS •Dinosaurs are a group of reptiles that have lived on Earth for about 165 million years. About 60% of dinosaurs ate plants (herbivores) and 40% ate meat (carnivores) •In 1842, the English naturalist Sir Richard Owen coined the term Dinosauria, derived from the Greek deinos, meaning “fearfully great,” and sauros, meaning “lizard.” •Dinosaur fossils have been found on all 7 continents. •All non-avian (non-bird) dinosaurs went extinct about 66 million years ago (MYA). •There are roughly 700 known species of extinct dinosaurs. •Modern birds are a kind of dinosaur because they share a common ancestor with non-avian dinosaurs. The Archosaurs consist of a diverse group of Triassic living and extinct reptiles that are subdivided into crocodiles, the 2 main types of dinosaurs, and pterosaurs. ORNITHISCHIAN AND SAURISCHIAN DINOSAURS As shown on the previous diagram, there are 2 types of Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and reptiles have hip girdles, or pelvises, and all of them are composed of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. -
Dinosaur Morphological Diversity and the End-Cretaceous Extinction
ARTICLE Received 24 Feb 2012 | Accepted 30 Mar 2012 | Published 1 May 2012 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1815 Dinosaur morphological diversity and the end-Cretaceous extinction Stephen L. Brusatte1,2, Richard J. Butler3,4, Albert Prieto-Márquez4 & Mark A. Norell1 The extinction of non-avian dinosaurs 65 million years ago is a perpetual topic of fascination, and lasting debate has focused on whether dinosaur biodiversity was in decline before end- Cretaceous volcanism and bolide impact. Here we calculate the morphological disparity (anatomical variability) exhibited by seven major dinosaur subgroups during the latest Cretaceous, at both global and regional scales. Our results demonstrate both geographic and clade-specific heterogeneity. Large-bodied bulk-feeding herbivores (ceratopsids and hadrosauroids) and some North American taxa declined in disparity during the final two stages of the Cretaceous, whereas carnivorous dinosaurs, mid-sized herbivores, and some Asian taxa did not. Late Cretaceous dinosaur evolution, therefore, was complex: there was no universal biodiversity trend and the intensively studied North American record may reveal primarily local patterns. At least some dinosaur groups, however, did endure long-term declines in morphological variability before their extinction. 1 Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024 USA. 2 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10025 USA. 3 GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard- Wagner-Straße 10, Munich D-80333, Germany. 4 Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, Munich D- 80333, Germany. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to S.L.B. -
Stratigraphy of Barmer Basin, Rajasthan: Implications on Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary*
828 NOTES STRATIGRAPHY OF BARMER BASIN, RAJASTHAN: IMPLICATIONS ON CRETACEOUS-TERTIARY BOUNDARY* M.S. SISODIA Department of Geology, J.N.Vyas University, Jodhpur - 342 005 Email: [email protected] EXTENDED ABSTRACT Earth scientistshave been in pursuit for 'longto frnd the anoma\iesmd as bi-stoPtion in the morphology ofthe EaTth. tn~tliabout: (1) What killed dinosaurs at the end-Cretaceous? If we imagine a scenario of the post 65 Ma era, it is possible and (2) Had the mass extinction during the geological history that the intelligent being of the future era may find these been abrupt or is a gradual process? The objective of this changes incorporated in a thin sedimentary layer with no paper is an attempt on the basis of data collected fiom lateral continuity, and may fall into the trap of interprcting the Barmer Basin, Rajasthan, to find a plausible answer to tens of thousand years as a very very small time period. It is these two questions. to be noted that the enormity of dinosaurs must have caused The palaeontological analysis done by Sepkoski (I 992) extinction of many of the species of the Cretaceous Period. reveals that the Earth has suffered five major mass Though, final blow responsible for complete deterioration extinctions during its history: during Late Ordovician, the in the environment could be an impact that led to the death Devonian, the Pertnian, the Triassic and the Cretaceous. It of dinosaurs. is generally believed that the species become extinct when The Banner Basin is a narrow N-S trending graben. Its their rate of adaptation is not able to compete with the western margin is defined by a NNW-SSE trending fault environrnei~talstress. -
Alphabetical List
LIST E - GEOLOGIC AGE (STRATIGRAPHIC) TERMS - ALPHABETICAL LIST Age Unit Broader Term Age Unit Broader Term Aalenian Middle Jurassic Brunhes Chron upper Quaternary Acadian Cambrian Bull Lake Glaciation upper Quaternary Acheulian Paleolithic Bunter Lower Triassic Adelaidean Proterozoic Burdigalian lower Miocene Aeronian Llandovery Calabrian lower Pleistocene Aftonian lower Pleistocene Callovian Middle Jurassic Akchagylian upper Pliocene Calymmian Mesoproterozoic Albian Lower Cretaceous Cambrian Paleozoic Aldanian Lower Cambrian Campanian Upper Cretaceous Alexandrian Lower Silurian Capitanian Guadalupian Algonkian Proterozoic Caradocian Upper Ordovician Allerod upper Weichselian Carboniferous Paleozoic Altonian lower Miocene Carixian Lower Jurassic Ancylus Lake lower Holocene Carnian Upper Triassic Anglian Quaternary Carpentarian Paleoproterozoic Anisian Middle Triassic Castlecliffian Pleistocene Aphebian Paleoproterozoic Cayugan Upper Silurian Aptian Lower Cretaceous Cenomanian Upper Cretaceous Aquitanian lower Miocene *Cenozoic Aragonian Miocene Central Polish Glaciation Pleistocene Archean Precambrian Chadronian upper Eocene Arenigian Lower Ordovician Chalcolithic Cenozoic Argovian Upper Jurassic Champlainian Middle Ordovician Arikareean Tertiary Changhsingian Lopingian Ariyalur Stage Upper Cretaceous Chattian upper Oligocene Artinskian Cisuralian Chazyan Middle Ordovician Asbian Lower Carboniferous Chesterian Upper Mississippian Ashgillian Upper Ordovician Cimmerian Pliocene Asselian Cisuralian Cincinnatian Upper Ordovician Astian upper -
Early Cretaceous (Albian) Ammonites from the Chitina Valley and Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Early Cretaceous (Albian) Ammonites From the Chitina Valley and Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 354-D Early Cretaceous (Albian) Ammonites From the Chitina Valley and Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska By RALPH W. IMLAY SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 354-D The Early Cretaceous (Albian) ammonites in southern Alaska have strong affinities with those in California and Oregon but are in part of Boreal and Eurasian origin UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1960 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FRED A. SEATON, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. - Price SO cents (paper cover) CONTENTS Ammonite faunules and correlations Continued Abstract..________________________________________ 87 Bretrericeras breweri and B. cf. B. hulenense faunule__ 91 Introduction _______________________________________ 87 Frebnhliceros singulare faunule____________________ 92 Biologic analysis____________________________________ 87 Other Albian faunules.__________________________ 93 Stratigraphic summary ______________________________ 88 Comparisons with other faunas_______________________ 93 Talkeetna Mountains ___________________________ 88 Geographic distribution._____________________________ 93 Chitina Valley__________________________________ 88 Summary of results _________________________________ 93 Ammonite faunules and correlations.__________________ -
Mesozoic - Extinct Land Plants - the Fossil Record
Mesozoic - Extinct Land Plants - the Fossil Record Pangaea forms and breaks up The basic nature of modern terrestrial ecosystems was established no later than by the end of the Paleozoic Era • Mesozoic Era and the first part of the Cenozoic saw the most dramatic changes in world vegetation, flora, and fauna • and the two greatest extinction events in the history of terrestrial ecosystems (Permian-Triassic boundary, K-T boundary) Extinct Land Plants - the Fossil Record Extinct Land Plants - the Fossil Record Triassic Period (245 - 208 mya) Dinosaurs arose in the late The greatest mass Triassic from thecodont extinction of all times reptiles. marks the boundary between the Paleozoic The first true dinosaurs and Mesozoic (the were the ceratosaurians, Permian and Triassic) or horned dinosaurs. • 90% of marine life • 50% of terrestrial tetrapods •20% of land plants (including Cordaites and most Glossopterids) Plateosaurus (larger) spies two Yaleosaurus (left) and a smaller Coelophysus behind. Note the dominant vegetation type of Cycads (Bjuvia). 1 Extinct Land Plants - the Fossil Record Extinct Land Plants - the Fossil Record Triassic Period (245 - 208 mya) Triassic Period (245 - 208 mya) The Triassic (and Jurassic) Other elements of this cosmopolitan Triassic flora: is known as the “Age of Seed ferns Cycads” as this gymnosperm group The glossopterids persisted in rapidly diversified after initially appearing earlier Gondwana but were gradually in the Permian. replaced by a new flora characterized by the seed fern, Dicroidium. By the close of the Triassic the glossopterids were extinct. Plateosaurus (larger) spies two Yaleosaurus (left) and a smaller Coelophysus behind. Note the dominant Dicroidium sp.