A recent scientific study has provided new insights into the extinction of dinosaurs, suggesting that dust from the asteroid impact was a significant factor. The research, published in the journal Science, indicates that the dust from the asteroid impact blocked sunlight, leading to a drastic drop in photosynthesis. This, in turn, caused a massive disruption in the food chain, ultimately leading to the extinction of dinosaurs.
The asteroid, which struck the Earth approximately 66 million years ago near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, created a layer of dust in the Earth's atmosphere. This dust layer, according to the study, blocked out sunlight for several years, causing a 'nuclear winter' effect. The lack of sunlight led to a significant decrease in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. This had a domino effect on the food chain, as herbivores lost their food source, and carnivores lost their prey.
The study's findings were based on the analysis of sediment layers at a site in North Dakota known as Tanis. The researchers found a high concentration of iridium, a rare element on Earth but common in asteroids, in these layers. This provided evidence of the asteroid impact and the subsequent dust layer. The researchers also found fossilized fish and other marine animals, indicating a sudden and massive die-off.
These findings provide a more detailed understanding of the events leading to the extinction of dinosaurs. However, the researchers note that further studies are needed to fully understand the complex interplay of factors that led to this mass extinction event.