Getty Images
–
Climate change and volcanic eruptions pushed dinosaurs to dominate Earth.
–
Nationalgeographic.co.id—A study from an international team of researchers revealed the emergence of dinosaur. The appearance of that ancient giant animal coincided with environmental changes driven by volcanic eruptions more than 230 million years ago. The research report has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) recently.
Researchers, including experts at the University of Birmingham, have analyzed sedimentary records and plant fossils from a lake in northern China’s Jiyuan Basin. Researchers match pulses of volcanic activity to significant environmental changes, including Late Episode ‘mega monsoon’ climate Trias Carnian Pluvial (CPE), about 234 million to 232 million years ago.
The Final Episode of CPE experienced an increase in global temperature and humidity and created a major impact on the development of animal and plant life. This change coincided with the formation of modern conifers, a group of open-seeded plants that have conifers as seed-bearing organs.
In this study, the team used lead uranium zircon dating, high-resolution chemostratigraphy, palinological and sedimentological data to correlate terrestrial conditions in the region with large-scale, synchronous volcanic activity in North America.
As a result, the researchers revealed four distinct episodes of volcanic activity during this period, with the most likely source being a large volcano. eruption from the Great Frozen Province of Wrangellia, the remains of which are well-preserved in western North America.
Research Fellow Jason Hilton, Professor Palaeobotany and Palaeoenvironments at the University of Birmingham’s School of Geography in a University of Birmingham release said, within two million years, animal and plant life in the world underwent major changes including selective extinctions in the sea.
Also Read: Spicomellus afer, A New Species Of Herbivorous Dinosaur From Morocco
–
Illustration of the Carnian Pluvial Triassic End Episode (CPE)
–
“Nature and diversification of plant and animal groups on land. These events coincided with extraordinary intervals of rainfall known as the Carnian Pluvial Episode,” Hilton said.
Their research, he said, showed detailed records from a lake in northern China, that this period could actually be resolved into four distinct events. “Each one is driven by a separate pulse of intense volcanic activity associated with a massive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This triggers an increase in global temperature and humidity,” Hilton said.
He added, adding that apart from dinosaurs, this extraordinary period in Earth’s history was also important for the rise of modern conifer groups. “(It) also had a major impact on the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems and animal and plant life, including ferns, crocodiles, turtles, insects and the first mammals.”
Also Read: New Find: Tyrannosaurus rex Wagged Its Tail While Running
The researchers found that each phase of a volcanic eruption coincided with a major disturbance on Earth. The disturbance affects the global carbon cycle, major climate shifts to more humid conditions, deepening of lakes with decreased oxygen and corresponding animal life.
Geological events from the same time period in Central Europe, Eastern Greenland, Morocco, North America, and Argentina, among other locations, suggest that increased rainfall resulted in extensive expansion of drainage basins that coalesce into lakes or marshes, rather than rivers or oceans.
“Our results suggest that a large volcanic eruption can occur in several distinct waves—indicating its powerful ability to alter the global carbon cycle, cause climatic and hydrological disturbances and drive evolutionary processes,” the co-authors add. Sarah Greene, Dosen Senior di School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham.
Also Read: Did Dinosaurs Get Sick And Hurt Like Humans?
University of Birmingham
–
Ecological changes following intense volcanic activity 230 million years ago paved the way for dinosaur dominance.
–
Emma Dunne, a Palaeobiologist who also comes from the University of Birmingham but was not involved in the study, responded to the research. According to him, this relatively long period of volcanic activity and environmental changes will have considerable consequences for animals on land.
“Right now, dinosaurs are just starting to diversify, and most likely without this event, they would never have achieved their ecological dominance, see over the next 150 million years,” Dunne said.
Also Read: Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis, Overthrow the Tyrannosaurus Fierce
PROMOTED CONTENT
Featured Videos
– .
