Dinosaurs Not Really Made Extinct By A Comet?

[JaNell]

Dinosaurs probably weren't killed because of a single asteroid impact, according to professor Gerta Keller (Princeton), despite the popularity of the theory based on the Chicxulub crater in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

[Onibubba]

Yeah, heard that on NPR. Her claims are WIDELY disputed. She did say that it was likely still caused by impact, but not just that one.

[JaNell]

Yeah, heard that on NPR. Her claims are WIDELY disputed.

"Dinosaurs are very popular, and the asteroid theory is sexy, it's a perfect story, and in the past few years it's all you've read in the popular press," said Princeton University professor Gerta Keller, the paleontologist who wrote the study."

It is very exciting - DRAMA! (all caps) - to think that a single comet wiped out all the dinosaurs. "One comet! IT COULD HAPPEN TO US!!!!"

Of course people who've made their careers backing the "One Comet" theory oppose new evidence; it means that they'll have to get back to work and quit living off book sales.

She did say that it was likely still caused by impact, but not just that one.

Actually, this article quoted her as saying "this and other mass extinctions can be tied to an intensive period of volcanic activity and resulting greenhouse effects, and probably a series of many asteroid hits.

She said by the time of the Chicxulub impact, there were already many signs of stress in organisms: Species were already endangered, their populations having declined and becoming dwarfed. "

I'm really interested in seeing how this turns out.

[Onibubba]

Ah well, that's what I get when my primary source of news consists of listening to NPR to and from work - The abbreviated story. The "Dan Akroyd" scientist they interviewed to provide his counterpoint to her point, while not addressing her as "Gerta, you ignorant slut..." did comment that findings from the core samples she was using could be interpreted in other ways (how sediment is dispersed, are items in the sample crystals or fossils). The implication was that she was a shit stirrer with little fact and a lot of opinion - and we all know that no science fact was ever drawn from an opinion

I'll have to read the article for more info!

[Lost Traveler]

this is cool, Im like the guy in the article I was never fully satisfied with the strike as the only cause it didnt deal with all the life that survived. But I can remember when the strike theory first came out and it was recieved in the same scepticale (sp) way.

[The Stormstress]

"..., and the asteroid theory is sexy, ..."

I think that perhapz sum1 haz a warped idea ov sexy!

[Sir Diddimus]

Oh come on now.... The dinosaurs where never fully wiped out.
Crocodiles, birds..... Nature is a wonder and adaptive thing.

[junkie christ]

Oh come on now.... The dinosaurs where never fully wiped out.
Crocodiles, birds.....

you left out republicans....

[Sir Diddimus]

Oh come on now.... The dinosaurs where never fully wiped out.
Crocodiles, birds.....

you left out republicans....

ROFLMAO

[JaNell]

Oh come on now.... The dinosaurs where never fully wiped out.
Crocodiles, birds.....

you left out republicans....

And aging rock bands who still put girls their granddaughters ages in their videos.

[lovechild]

i agree with sir diddimus....there are still closely related reptiles..

[Dancing With Diaghilev]

Speaking of Republicans, the conservative-dominated National Park Service (might have the name wrong) recently authorized (or gave credibility to) the theory that the "Great Flood" in the Bible created the Grand Canyon, rather than a meteor.

That's even more laughable theory than "Intelligent Design".