Dinosaurs were thriving until asteroid struck, research suggests

New Mexico Rock Formation Dares to Challenge the Asteroid Hypothesis on Dinosaur Extinction

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science has thrown a wrench into our understanding of dinosaur extinction. Researchers from New Mexico State University have dated a rock formation in the San Juan basin, which reveals that dinosaurs were thriving until about 350,000 years before the devastating asteroid impact that wiped out these magnificent creatures.

The Naashoibito Member, where the youngest dinosaur fossils were found, is believed to have been formed during a period of relatively high diversity among North American dinosaurs. The study's findings suggest that the asteroid strike was not a gradual process, but rather a sudden and catastrophic event that marked the end of an era for these incredible animals.

According to Dr. Andrew Flynn, lead author of the research, "Our results show that, at least in North America, dinosaurs were not going towards extinction." The team's analysis of argon isotopes and magnetic particles within the rock formation provided a timeline that coincided with the asteroid impact, casting doubt on the idea that dinosaurs were already in decline.

The study also highlights the diversity of dinosaur species across North America during this period. While there were some commonalities, such as the presence of T-Rex-like predators, significant regional differences were observed. The team notes that these variations may have been driven by changes in climate.

However, not all experts are convinced by the findings. Prof. Michael Benton from the University of Bristol noted that the study's focus on a single location limits its scope and that there is evidence for overall declines in dinosaur diversity towards the end of the Cretaceous period.

Despite these caveats, the research represents an exciting new chapter in our understanding of dinosaur evolution and extinction. The discovery that dinosaurs were thriving until the asteroid impact serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity and beauty of life on Earth during this pivotal moment in history.

I'm like totally mind blown by this new study!!! So basically, scientists found out that dinosaurs were still alive and kicking for like 350,000 years before the massive asteroid hit them? That's wild! I always thought we knew how it went down... but now I'm wondering if maybe things were a bit more complicated than we thought.

I mean, imagine being in North America at that time - seeing all these different dinosaur species roaming around and thinking they're the kings of the world... only to get knocked off their thrones by an asteroid! It's like, what even is the probability of that happening? I'm also curious about this idea that maybe dinosaurs were already on the decline before the asteroid hit... did they just not know it was coming?

I love how this study has opened up a whole new conversation about dinosaur extinction - it's like, we thought we knew the answer but now we're all like " wait, what if?" Can't wait to read more about this!

I don’t usually comment but I think it's pretty cool how they found out that dinosaurs were still kicking around 350k yrs before the asteroid hit. It makes me wonder if there was some other factor at play too... like a volcanic eruption or something. And yeah, I get what Prof Benton is saying about the study being limited to just one location, but I think it's still a big deal. I mean, we've always been taught that dinosaurs went extinct in an instant, but this makes them sound more like they were just going about their business... until suddenly they weren't.

I'm low-key blown away by this study! It's like, we've been thinking about dinosaur extinction all wrong. They weren't just slowly fading away, it was like this massive asteroid came out of nowhere and BAM, game over. And that the Naashoibito Member is still got some awesome dinosaur fossils in it? That's wild. I love how the researchers are highlighting those regional differences too, it's like they were living their best lives back then

so like what's up with these rock formations and their ages lol
anyway, I think it's pretty cool that scientists are still finding new info about dinosaurs... I mean, who doesn't love those T-Rex thingies?
but seriously, this study makes me wonder if the asteroid theory is like totally right or just part of a bigger story
and what's with the diversity of dinosaur species across North America? it sounds like they were all unique and stuff, which I can get on board with
the only thing that's got me thinking is how this new info changes our understanding of the extinction event... is it like a sudden death or a slow decline?
oh, and I'm loving the timeline vibes

OMG 350k yrs ago dinosaurs were still kickin' ! Mind blown right? stats: 70% of dinosaur species went extinct, but this rock formation shows only like 30% of the diversity was already declining . Anyways, cool to see researchers in NM State University gettin' some love for their argon isotopes and magnetic particles analysis . But Prof Michael Benton from Bristol is all "hold up, what about regional differences?" ... still, can't deny the rock formation's gotta be a game-changer for our understanding of dinosaur extinction . Anyway, just a thought: maybe we should start calling it the "dino-resurgence" ?

I'm low-key mind-blown by this new study ! The idea that dinosaurs were still kicking around 350k years before the asteroid went down is just wild . I mean, can you imagine walking through a forest and seeing a T-Rex roaming free? It's like, we always thought of the asteroid as this big game-changer, but now it sounds like it might have been more of a speed bump for these incredible creatures .

And the part about regional differences is so cool! I love how they found variations in species across North America - it's like, dinosaurs weren't all one big happy family . Maybe their diversity was driven by changes in climate or something... anyway, this study just shows how much we still don't know about the ancient world .

For me, it's not about whether I agree with Prof Benton's critique or not (I'm more of a "new info is always awesome" kinda person ), but I do love that this research is making us look at our understanding of dinosaur extinction in a whole new way . Can't wait to see where this takes us next!

omg u guys! i was reading about this study on dinosaur extinction and it's literally changing everything we thought we knew about how they went extinct . so basically, scientists found out that dinosaurs were still alive and thriving like 350k years before the asteroid hit them! what a game changer, right? i mean, who wouldn't want to know that our prehistoric friends were just chillin' until it was time for their big exit . and can we talk about how cool it is that there were all these different types of dinosaurs in North America back then?! like, t rex-like predators and all sorts of others... i'm literally hyped to learn more about this period in history .

I gotta say, I'm super stoked about this study on dinosaur extinction ! I mean, who wouldn't want to think that these massive creatures were still roaming around just 350k years before the asteroid hit? It's like, mind blown, you know? The fact that they found a rock formation with dinosaur fossils in it that's from way back when is just crazy . And the idea that dinosaurs weren't all dying off at the same time but had regional differences and stuff... it's like, wow, so much more complexity than I thought .

But at the same time, I can see why some experts are skeptical about this study. Like, if they're only looking at one spot, how sure can you really be about the whole thing? And what about all those other dinosaur fossils that we do know were from around that time... don't they kinda contradict each other? .

Anyway, I think this study is a major game changer for us learning about dinosaurs and extinction . It's like, it opens up so many new possibilities and questions to explore!

I'm like totally mind blown by this study ! I mean, who would've thought that dinosaurs were still kicking it till 350k yrs before the asteroid hit? It's like we're seeing a whole new side of their story, you know? And the part about regional differences being driven by climate change? That's so cool . Of course, some experts are gonna nitpick and say that the study's limited scope is a thing... but I'm all for shaking up our understanding of the past ! The diversity of species across North America during this time period? Insane!

OMG just read about this study on dinosaur fossils in New Mexico and I'm FREAKING OUT!!! Apparently, they've found out that dinos were still kicking 350k yrs before the asteroid hit like, what?! That's so mind-blowing! And can you believe they dated it using argon isotopes and magnetic particles? Genius ! Prof. Flynn's results are totally throwing my understanding of history out the window ! I mean, I always thought we knew how the dinosaurs went down, but now it seems like there's so much more to it... like, what if they were just chillin' until that asteroid came along?

I'm so sure the asteroid hypothesis is totally debunked now , but let's be real, it's probably just a minor detail that doesn't change anything . I mean, if dinosaurs were still kicking around 350k years before the whole asteroid thing went down, why should we believe the big impact was the end of them? Maybe they just got really good at hiding or something . And don't even get me started on the climate changes – that's just a cop-out excuse for not understanding how complex and cool these ancient creatures were . I'm calling BS on this whole "asteroid was the end" narrative .

I'm loving this new twist on the asteroid hypothesis! It's crazy to think that dinosaurs might have been going strong just 350,000 years before the massive asteroid impact. It makes me wonder what our world would be like if those magnificent creatures were still roaming around today

OMG can you believe it?! They're actually saying that maybe we shouldn't have been so sure about the whole asteroid thing being the sole reason for dinosaur extinction . I mean, 350k years before the big impact and still dinosaurs roaming around? That's like, mind-blowing! It makes me wonder what else we might not know about these amazing creatures . And yeah, Prof. Benton's point about it being a single location is valid, but I think this study opens up so many more questions to explore . We need more research and discoveries like this to keep the mystery alive !

I'm still stuck on this whole asteroid thing ... I mean, can you believe they're saying these dinosaurs were livin' large till like 350k years before the big impact? It's wild! Back in my day (I know, I know), we thought for sure that it was just a slow-motion train wreck. But this new study from New Mexico says otherwise... like, what if the asteroid was just the final nail in the coffin, huh? Still, gotta respect the science, right? And can we talk about how cool it is to learn more about these incredible creatures that roamed our planet? I mean, T-Rex and all that... *sigh* those were the days!

I gotta say, this study is like, totally blowing my mind ! I mean, we've always thought that dinosaurs just kinda... died off all at once, but now it seems like they were still kickin' around for a pretty long time after the asteroid hit. It's like, our whole understanding of their extinction was flipped on its head . And I'm not sure I buy into Prof Benton's criticism about the study being too narrow in scope - I think this one rock formation says a lot about what was goin' down back then . Plus, it's just so cool to think that dinosaurs were diverse enough that different regions had their own unique species . It's like, we're still learnin' stuff and there's always more to discover - isn't that the best feeling ever?

the more we learn about the past, the more it seems like we're still trying to figure out who we are... i mean, think about it - dinosaurs were thriving until 350k years before the asteroid hit, but does that really mean they weren't struggling or adapting in other ways? is it possible that our understanding of extinction is just too simplistic?

and what's with this idea of a 'catastrophic event' vs gradual decline? is it even a question of either/or anymore? can we say that extinction is always sudden and dramatic, or are there examples where it was more like a slow fade into obscurity?

Umm... I'm like totally convinced that the asteroid impact was defo NOT the main reason for the dinosaurs going extinct . Like, think about it - if they were still thriving 350k years before the impact, how come we don't see any other evidence of them surviving? And also, can we really trust this one rock formation in New Mexico to tell us everything about what was happening all over North America? I mean, what about all the other places where dinosaurs might have been living their best lives at the same time? Let's not jump to conclusions just yet!

I'm kinda stoked about this study from New Mexico State University . It's always cool to see scientists dig up new info that challenges our understanding of the past . The idea that dinosaurs were still around, like 350k yrs before the asteroid impact, is wild . Makes me wonder what their daily lives were like during that time . I'm also interested in how climate changes might've affected different regions . Not all experts are convinced, but hey, that's what science is all about – keeping us curious and on our toes .

I'm still thinking about those old documentaries I used to watch when I was a kid... you know, the ones with the T-Rex and the Triceratops? Those were so cool! Anyway, back to this rock formation thingy... it's kinda mind-blowing that dinosaurs were still roaming around for like 350k years after we thought they went extinct. It's like, what else was happening on Earth at that time? And yeah, I can see why some experts might be skeptical about the study's findings, but I think it's a cool perspective to have. Maybe scientists will finally get the answer to why they went extinct... or maybe it'll just lead to more questions