CROCODILES IN THE ARCTIC

A study carried out in the Canadian Arctic has confirmed that ninety million years ago the
Arctic was a hot swamp-like environment.
Professor Tarduno and his team of scientists studied rocks above a layer of basaltone
thousand feet thick in the Canadian Arctic.
Basalt comes from volcanoes and such a thick layer suggests a number of very
heavy volcanic eruptions. The team studied the layers above the basalt and foundshale,
which is ancient mud. This suggests that the volcanic eruptions were followed by areas
of muddy lagoons and swamps. The mud at the bottom of lagoons and swamps is ideal for
preserving fossils.
The team found remains of bonesbelonging to a champosaur in the shale. The
champosaurs werecrocodile-like creatures. Their nearest living relatives today live in hot,
tropical areas of the world.

The scientists also found remains of fish and turtles which were what the champosaurs
ate. Professor Tarduno says that his findings confirm that global warming was a problem
ninety million years ago. The frequent volcanic eruptions allowed animalssuch as the
champosaur to roam in Arctic landscapes that now only polar bears and
penguins can tolerate.