IS AN ASTEROID THE EVENT IN WHICH

RESULTED IN THE DINOSAURS

BECOMING EXTINCT?
Science Case Study - Bethany Moon – 14th March 2010

CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• FOR
• AGAINST
• MY THEORY
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
NINJA ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...IF YOUVE FOUND THIS THEN WELL DONE
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INTRODUCTION
For my case study I am going to discuss the different theories behind how the dinosaurs
became extinct. Many scientists (and people) have believe for a numerous of years that the
event in which resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs is in fact an asteroid hitting the
earth’s surface cursing mass chaos wiping out the dinosaurs; however this isn’t the only
theory, there are three theories that could have related to the extinction of dinosaurs; are an
asteroid, a volcanic eruption or the ice age.

FOR
There has always been strong evidence in supporting the theory that it was an asteroid which
hit the earth’s surface, approximately, 65.5 million years ago that killed off all dinosaurs and
plant species in a short period of time. The evidence supporting this is the discovery of the K-
T boundary – K abbreviation for the Cretaceous period (K for its German translation Kreide)
and T abbreviation for the Tertiary period – because the majority of dinosaur fossils found
around the world have all been found under the K-T boundary, however there has been a
small portion of fossils found above the K-T boundary but scientists believe these fossils have
moved from their original location. Thus the dinosaurs found under the K-T boundary where
extinct immediately and the ones found above where killed during the event.
The asteroid itself was over 9 miles
wide, and hit the earth’s surface in
what is now known as Mexico at
such a high velocity it cursed a
mass of catastrophic consequences
which included:

- Volcanic activities sent ash

and soot up in to the earth’s
atmosphere blocking out any
of the suns light.

- Tsunamis and earthquakes

Due to these after mass lays the basis of the arguments agents the theory that it was an
asteroid that killed the dinosaurs.

Against
Evidence supporting the theory of volcanic eruptions causing dinosaurs to become extinct is…

It is thought that volcanic activity in the Deccan Traps in what is now India; there were a
series of super volcanic eruptions that lasted around 1.5 million years, resulting in the
dinosaurs eventually becoming extinct

Conclusion

Bibliography
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100304/sc_nm/us_dinosaurs_asteroid
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dinosaurs/
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/wiredscience/2009/08/impact_bs1a.jpg