The Extinction of Dinosaurs

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The Extinction of Dinosaurs

How did the dinosaurs become extinct? This is a question that has

stumped scientists ever since dinosaur fossils were first discovered.

There are many theories as to how the dinosaurs became extinct. This

page presents some of the most popular theories. Keep in mind that

there is no absolutely proven theory. No one knows for certain exactly

why and how the dinosaurs became extinct.

Probably the most popular theory right now is the Asteroid Theory.

According to this theory a large asteroid or comet collided with Earth

about 65 million years ago. Scientists think that such a large

collision would throw so much dust into the air that sunlight would

not be able to shine and plants and animals would die. The dramatic

changes in climate that resulted from this huge collision were too

much for the dinosaurs. They were not able to survive.

Another theory that could explain how the dinosaurs became extinct is

volcanic activity. A huge increase in volcanic activity at around 65

millions years ago could have pumped so much ash into the air that it

blocked out the sun killing the dinosaurs.

Some scientists believe that there was a severe ice age. Throughout

Earth's history there have been many ice ages. The last one ended

about 10,000 years ago. A very severe ice age could have changed

temperatures and frozen a lot of Earth's water. The dinosaurs would

not be able live under such conditions and that is how the dinosaurs

became extinct.

It has also been suggested that disease killed off the dinosaurs. A

very deadly and contagious disease may have circulated among the

dinosaurs forcing them to become extinct.

Still yet another theory is that the Earth just gradually changed in

climate over a long time period and the dinosaurs were not able to

adapt to the cooler, dryer climate.

There are probably other theories as to how the dinosaurs became

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