...Dinosaur extinction is still a major mystery of earth history. In this review article, extinctions in the geological record will be briefly mentioned. Many of the imaginative theories for the extinction of the dinosaurs will also be presented. Within the uniformitarian paradigm, the meteorite impact theory, once considered ‘outrageous’, now is the dominant theory. However, the volcanic theory is still believed by a majority of paleontologists. Both theories have their strengths and weaknesses. The unscientific behavior of those involved in the meteorite paradigm change will be briefly explored. Evidence that the dinosaurs died in a cataclysm of global proportions will be presented, such as the huge water-laid dinosaur graveyards found over the earth. Occasional nonspecific bone-beds and the rarity of fossils of very young dinosaurs suggest a catastrophic death and burial. The billions of dinosaur tracks recently discovered provide testimony to unusual, stressful conditions. Nests, eggs, and babies are a challenge to a Flood model, but there are enough unknowns associated with the data that solid conclusions are difficult to draw. The part that impacts and volcanism play in a Flood paradigm will be briefly discussed. The question of whether the K/T boundary and the extinction of the dinosaurs should be considered a synchronous event within the Flood will be considered. Introduction Dinosaurs bring wonder to children and adults alike. That such great beasts once roamed the earth...
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...Answers • Store • Outreach • Media • Kids • Education • Donate • Answers in Genesis • Answers • Animals • Dinosaurs • Dinosaur Extinction • The Extinction of the Dinosaurs The Extinction of the Dinosaurs by Michael J. Oard on August 1, 1997 Share: • • • • Originally published in Journal of Creation 11, no 2 (August 1997): 137-154. Shop Now First published: TJ (now Journal of Creation) 11(2):137–154 August 1997 by Michael J. Oard Dinosaur extinction is still a major enigma of earth history. In this review article, extinctions in the geological record will be briefly mentioned. Many of the imaginative theories for the extinction of the dinosaurs will also be presented. Within the uniformitarian paradigm, the meteorite impact theory, once considered ‘outrageous’, now is the dominant theory. However, the volcanic theory is still believed by a majority of palaeontologists. Both theories have their strengths and weaknesses. The unscientific behaviour of those involved in the meteorite paradigm change will be briefly explored. Evidence that the dinosaurs died in a cataclysm of global proportions will be presented, such as the huge water-laid dinosaur graveyards found over the earth. Occasional monospecific bone-beds and the rarity of fossils of very young dinosaurs suggest a catastrophic death and burial. The billions of dinosaur tracks recently discovered provide testimony to unusual, stressful conditions. Nests, eggs, and babies are a challenge...
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...What killed the dinosaurs Introduction: It is one of the greatest puzzles in paleontology. For more than 150 million years, dinosaurs rule the Earth. They were so successful than other animals groups, mammals included, had little change of taking over. Then, 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs disappeared from the world altogether. Did they meet a quick and catastrophic end, or did they fade away gradually? What happened 65 million years ago? In the search for answers to what killed the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period in the Mesozoic Era, scientists have looked beyond fossils. Geological evidence also holds clues and has led to many hypotheses, working explanations, of how dinosaurs may have become extinct. The extinction mystery is far from a simple “whodunit.” The same piece of evidence is sometimes subject to multiple interpretations. And, as yet, there is no obvious answer, no piece of evidence that strongly supports only one hypothesis while showing that all others are incorrect. So what do we know about dinosaur extinction, and how do we know it. Evidence: Scientific evidence and observations are the building blocks of hypotheses. At first the same evidence and observations may support different hypotheses. As more evidence becomes available, some hypotheses are proven, others are disproved, and new ones are formed. Hypotheses: A dinosaur extinction hypothesis is a testable statement describing...
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...Review the theories put forward in the literature that attempt to explain why there was a mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period. You should aim to outline the main theories, the claims they make, briefly explain any supporting evidence, and compare and contrast the rival theories. Reasons for the Cretaceous mass extinction have been hotly debated for more than 200 years, since the founding days of geology. Cretaceous mass extinction is referred to the mass extinction that happened in the period of Cretaceous (just after Jurassic), more than 100 million years ago. Many creatures, especially dinosaurs, disappeared in the end of Cretaceous. K-T layer which marks the boundary between the Cretaceous and the Tertiary becomes the key point for the solutions. Till now, four main theories which are gradualism, supernova, volcanism and cosmic impact, have been put forward to solve the scientific problem. And, the last three models belong to catastrophism in favor of sudden extinctions, opposite to gradualism. However, this essay will attempt to argue that cosmic impact should be the most reasonable explanation due to evidence that have been found up to now. In order to demonstrate it, this essay will analyze these different theories separately paragraph by paragraph, along with corresponding findings. In addition, it will compare rival theories. In the ‘gradualistic’ view (theory of gradualism), the Earth was a slowly evolving word and the turnover of living species...
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...Individual Week 1 Review Questions GLG/220 10/02/2013 Critical and Creative Thinking Questions Chapter 1 3. How do you think the principle of uniformitarianism accounts for occasional catastrophic events such as meteorite impacts, huge volcanic eruptions, or great earthquakes? The principle of uniformitarianism states the processes occurring on Earth today are very similar in manner as those throughout much of geologic times. In other words “the present is the key to the past.”(Murck, B. W., Skinner, B. J., & Mackenzie, D. (2010)). When looking at past geological events and occurrences that happened in the past with additions of new testing and technology they can predict when and if volcanic eruptions may occur, meteorite impacts and their damages, and if plate shifts will occur resulting in earthquakes. Scientists rate the earthquakes on a scale based on how damaging they are. 5. In what ways do geologic processes affect your daily life? Daily activities including the water we drink or the tress we plant to help prevent and control soil erosion are a part of geologic processes. Earth materials and processes affect our lives through our dependence on Earth resources; through geologic hazards such as volcanic eruptions, floods and earthquakes; and through the physical properties of the natural environment (Murck, B. W., Skinner, B. J., & Mackenzie, D. (2010)). Understanding Earth’s materials is important because we depend on its resources for building...
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...A Meteorite of 30 tons was found Jacob A 30-ton meteorite named Gancedo was found in Campo del Ciel, Argentina (meaning "Field of Heaven"). Campo del Cielo is also a well-known meteorite crash site. This discovery is important because there is a new world record for the second largest meteorite found and now scientists know what to expect from now. The meteorite site is covered with craters from a rain of iron meteorites and over 4,000 years ago. The largest crater is about 115 by 91 meters (or 377 by 298 feet). No information was given on its width or height. The original space rock weighed about 800 tons and fell from the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. It has divided into several meteorites that disperse over an area of about 124 square miles. Local media said it was the second largest meteorite ever found. There have been unconfirmed reports of a 37-ton meteorite found in Campo del Cielo years ago. Scientists now study the meteorite to find out the width and height and see if there is more to this meteorite. The largest meteorite is called the Hoba...
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...QXT2 Task 7 Mass Extinctions Over 4.6 billion years ago the earth came into existence and life on earth 3.5 billion years ago. Since the inception of life on earth millions of species have existed, yet large percentages of these organisms have gone extinct leaving few if any remains. The geologist, Hutton and Lyell proposed that the earth is old and the earth changes over time. Change in the earth directly correlates with the organisms that exist on earth. When examining the geologic record it shows periods of mass extinctions created by catastrophic events or gradual changes. The mechanisms believed to have initiated the most significant changes are: meteorites, human activities, oxygen entering the atmosphere, and continent formations. Meteorite impacts have become one of the most accepted theories for extinction events supported by the geologic record. Scientific studies have examined the impact of both small and large collisions between the earth and different sizes of meteorites; which are rock fragments from outside the atmosphere that burn and glimmer...
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...Guide — Extinctions, Impacts, and Volcano science What are tektites? * Natural glass rocks formed by impact of small meteorites on Earth’s surfaceWhat is Iridium? * Rare element in Earth’s crust, but high concentrations of some meteoritesWhat is shocked quartz? * Could only be produced with a strong impact on Earth; found commonly in relation to known meteorite impact sitesIn what way are tektites, Iridium, and shocked quartz related to the K/T extinction event? * In what way are the Deccan and Siberian flood basalt provinces related to mass extinction events? * Which of these is related to the Permian extinction (the greatest mass extinction event of all time)? * Siberian Flood basalt: Permian extinction (95% died). . . which is related to the K/T extinction? * Deccan Flood basalt: K.T. extinction (70% died)What is the anti-podal hypothesis? * The idea that pairs of opposite hot spots may result from the impact of a large meteorWhat geologic time unit (Eon, Era, Period, Epoch) represents the greatest expanse of geologic time? * Eon (An indefinitely long period of time)What is the Era of Ancient Life called? * Paleozoic Era (Age of invertebrates) - 543 m.y.a. . . . the Era of Middle Life? * Mesozoic Era (Age of dinosaurs) - 251 m.y.a.. . . the Era of Recent Life? * Cenozoic Era (Age of mammals) - 65 m.y.a.. . . the age of the Dinosaurs? * Era of Middle Life. . . the age of Mammals? * Era of Recent LifeKnow and be able to describe the impact events...
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...piece of rock hit the Earth 65 million years ago, which set off the events that wiped out the dinosaurs” (R. Cowen, 2007). This rock that killed off the dinosaurs could have been an asteroid or comet. “In 1980, Alvarez and colleagues proposed that, in the transition period between the Cretaceous to Paleogene periods, a large impactor collided with the Earth being the cause of the mass extinction occurred at the K/Pg boundary.” (Hector Javier Durand-Manterola et al., 2014). The K/Pg boundary stands for Cretaceous and Paleogene periods. “In 1991, an international group of researchers proposed that a circular structure between 180 and 200 km, buried under the Tertiary deposits in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, was the crater formed...
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...Eris __________. was not surprising, because other Kuiper belt objects approaching the size of Pluto had already been discovered When we see a meteor shower, it means that _________ Earth is crossing the orbit of a comet When you see the bright flash of a meteor, what are you actually seeing? the glow from a pea-size particle and the surrounding air as the particle burns up in our atmosphere Suppose you find a meteorite made almost entirely of metal. According to current science, which of the following statements must be true? Your meteorite is a fragment from the core of a large asteroid that shattered in a collision Why didn't a planet form where the asteroid belt is now located? Gravitational tugs from Jupiter prevented material from collecting together to form a planet. Suppose there were no solar wind. How would the appearance of a comet in our inner solar system be different? it would have only one tail instead of two Which of the following is not a piece of evidence supporting the idea that an impact caused the mass extinction that occurred 65 million...
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...gov/news/news177.html)( http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news174.html) (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geosynchronous) An asteroid is a small planet-like body in orbit around the sun. The orbits of some asteroids take them across the paths of the planets. Asteroids are smaller than a planet but larger than a meteoroid, which is a small interplanetary object also in orbit around the Sun. If a portion of a meteoroid or other object survives the entry through the Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the Earth’s surface it is referred to as a meteorite. A meteor, also known as a shooting star, is a streak of light produced by a meteoroid that burns away in the Earth’s atmosphere. When their orbit brings them close to the sun, gigantic balls of ice and rock or comets, form a tail of dust and gas while being heated by the Sun’s rays. Scientists believe that the extinction of dinosaurs, nearly 66 million years ago, was the result of a large meteorite striking what today is Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. In 1908, a fragment of an asteroid or comet exploded in Earth’s atmosphere above Tunguska, Russia. The “Tunguska event”, the blast caused by the explosion, knocked down an estimated 80 million trees over 830 square miles. On February 15, 2013, just 3,000 miles west of Tunguska in western Siberia, a 10 ton meteor entered the Earth’s atmosphere. The meteor exploded with the force of an atomic bomb....
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...combination of minerals or other organic complex. 1. 2. What types of tests are used to identify minerals? The type of test that are used to identify a mineral is I think depending on the colour,luster, and the hardness and as well the gravity. Also by the event test the chemical of the mineral they can see what type it is. 3. Part 3 1. Label the part and mineral resource that compose each part of this lightbulb. Refer to the diagram in Chapter 2. A. Bulb | B. Lead in wires | C. Stem press | D. Fuse | E. Gas | F. Filament | G. Button & Button rod | H. Base | 2. Choose two minerals and describe where these minerals are found in nature and the environmental impact of extracting these minerals from the earth. You may need outside resources. One mineral...
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...TPO TPO Applied Arts and Fine Arts..............................................................................................................2 Opportunists and Competitors......................................................................................................3 Lascaux Cave Paintings ...................................................................................................................4 Electricity from Wind......................................................................................................................5 Meteorite Impact and Dinosaur Extinction ..................................................................................6 Groundwater ...................................................................................................................................7 The Origins of Theater....................................................................................................................8 Timberline Vegetation on Mountains ...........................................................................................9 Architecture....................................................................................................................................10 The Origin of the Pacific Island People .......................................................................................17 The Geologic History of the Mediterranean ..............................................................................22 Ancient...
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...request a time extension. Meteorite Impact and Dinosaur Extinction There is increasing evidence that the impacts of meteorites have had important effects on Earth, particularly in the field of biological evolution. Such impacts continue to pose a natural hazard to life on Earth. Twice in the twentieth century, large meteorite objects are known to have collided with Earth. 5 If an impact is large enough, it can disturb the environment of the entire Earth and cause an ecological catastrophe. The best-documented such impact took place 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period of geological history. This break in Earth’s history is marked by a mass extinction, when as many as half the species on the planet became extinct. While there are a dozen or more mass extinctions in the geological record, the Cretaceous mass extinction has always intrigued paleontologists because it marks the end of the age of the dinosaurs. For tens of millions of years, those great creatures had flourished. Then, suddenly, they disappeared. The body that impacted Earth at the end of the Cretaceous period was a meteorite with a mass of more than a trillion tons and a diameter of at least 10 kilometers. Scientists first identified this impact in 1980 from the worldwide layer of sediment deposited from the dust cloud that enveloped the planet after the impact. This sediment layer is enriched in the rare metal iridium and other elements that are relatively abundant in a meteorite but very rare in the...
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...GLG/220 David Santeck November 23, 2015 Critical and Creative Thinking Questions Chapter 1. 3. How do you think the principle of uniformitarianism accounts for occasional catastrophic events such as meteorite impacts, huge volcanic eruptions, or great earthquakes? Principle of Uniformitarianism is defined as the concept that the Processes governing the Earth system today have operated in a similar manner throughout geologic time. Throughout history we have seen that there have been other similar CA strophic events such as meteorite impact that has been said to have wiped out the age of Dinosaurs along with Huge Volcanic Eruptions. The earth is changing as year goes by, however the earths geology stays the same or similar as the past. 5. In what ways do geologic processes affect your daily life? There are many ways that the Geologic Processes affect my daily life, for example, for the past couple of months we have seen non-stop rain, which increases flooding chances, which could result is landslides, and cause catastrophic events to happen. This could impact travel conditions cause major roads to be closed. Other things that could affect daily life is an eruptions of volcanoes or even earthquakes, because this could results is mass chaos and/or death. Chapter 2 2. When a volcano erupts, spewing forth a column of hot volcanic ash, the ash particles are tiny fragments of solidified magma that slowly fall to Earth’s surface, forming a layer of sediment. Would...
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