It is a discovery that has been sought for a long time. Scientists in the United States have found fossils of animals believed to have died on the day a giant asteroid struck. It was that twelve-kilometre-diameter rock that ended the dinosaur kingdom.
To date, few dinosaur remains have been found that can be dated to the period surrounding the so-called Chicxulub Impact. The asteroid collided with our planet in the Gulf of Mexico, causing the last major mass extinction of animal and plant species.
Scientists conducting research in the US state of North Dakota say they have now found traces that could be linked to the asteroid. While the Tanis site is about 3,000 kilometers away. The impact of the rock was so powerful that nearby rivers may have submerged the dinosaurs.
In addition, fish have been found in Tanis with small particles in their gills. These could come from the large boulder that is twelve kilometers long. Chemical analysis showed that they inhaled small pieces of the asteroid.
question marks
Independent experts the BBC spoke to remained somewhat skeptical about the results. Researchers at the Tanis site are quite certain that the fossils come from dinosaurs that died due to the tidal wave. Independent scholars provide nuance
Fish containing asteroid pieces are called the “ultimate calling card.” Professor Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh said: “In terms of the other allegations, I would say it is circumstantial evidence that has not yet been presented to the jury.”
Johan Velikoop also questions the claims published by the BBC. He is an assistant professor at the University of Leuven and a researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. In addition, he also conducted research on the Tanis website, but was not involved in the investigation that the BBC is now writing about.
According to Vilkop, it is difficult for researchers to first go to the media without publishing a scientific article. “This is not the way we should do science,” he tells our editors. “Of course it is an amazing story if it is true that it is about a dinosaur that died due to a tidal wave. This would be the first evidence worldwide. I would also like it to be that way, but this is a risk. That is why it must first be critically examined by independent scientists.” , Only then should you say such things in the media.
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