What killed the dinosaurs? Scientists reveal what caused the 'catastrophic collapse' that led to their extinction

31 October 2023, 08:39 | Updated: 31 October 2023, 08:49

Scientists have revealed what killed off the dinosaurs
Scientists have revealed what killed off the dinosaurs. Picture: Getty

By StephenRigley

Scientists announced that it was not the impact of an asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

But debris ejected by the asteroid played a critical role in their extinction.

The asteroid, which hit modern-day Mexico 66 million years ago, caused a global catastrophe, which wiped out three-quarters of the world's species and ended the age of dinosaurs.

Belgian researchers said on Monday that dust from the pulverised rock may have played a larger role than previously thought in driving extinctions by choking the atmosphere and preventing plants from harnessing sunlight.

Dust following an astroid strike played a pivotal role in killing off the dinosaurs
Dust following an astroid strike played a pivotal role in killing off the dinosaurs. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Just Stop Oil spray orange powder over replica of the world's biggest ever dinosaur at the Natural History Museum

Read More: Anti-Ulez activist dressed as dinosaur blocks TfL enforcement van with tipper truck as backlash continues to grow

The team led by the Royal Observatory of Belgium, which determined dust from pulverized rock was thrown into Earth's atmosphere, blocking the sun and hindering the photosynthesis of plants.

New modeling showed the amount of dust was about 2,000 gigatonnes - exceeding 11 times the weight of Mt. Everest - and lingered in the atmosphere for up to 15 years, causing a worldwide nuclear winter.

In the aftermath, Earth experienced a drop in surface temperatures of about 15 degrees Celsius, causing a chain reaction of extinctions. As plants died, herbivores starved, while carnivores were left without prey and perished.

Previous research has highlighted sulphur released after the impact and soot from the wildfires as playing a large role in extinctions.

Study co-author Philippe Claeys said: "It was cold and dark for years."

Fellow researcher, Ozgur Karatekin, added: “Biotic groups that were not adapted to survive dark, cold and food-deprived conditions for almost two years would have experienced massive extinctions.

“Fauna and flora that could enter a dormant phase - for example, through seeds, cysts or hibernation in burrows - and were able to adapt to a generalistic lifestyle - not dependent on one particular food source - generally survived better, like small mammals."

Without this disaster, dinosaurs might still dominate today, researchers said.

“Dinos dominated Earth and were doing just fine when the meteorite hit," Mr Claeys said.

“Without the impact, my guess is that mammals - including us - had little chance to become the dominant organisms on this planet."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

An image from the scene

Horror as small plane crashes in Philadelphia, causing huge fireball as homes erupt in flames

Prince Andrew was friends with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Prince Andrew could face new probe into Epstein ties as new FBI chief says he'll 'do anything' to uncover truth

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press on Friday

Trump launches trade war with China, Canada and Mexico, sparking fears for global economy

Giles Coren

Restaurant critic Giles Coren reveals prostate cancer diagnosis and says he had to 'demand' test from NHS

Rescuers expect to find the bodies of every DC plane crash victim

Every DC crash victim 'expected to be found', fire chief says, with plane fuselage to be hauled up from river

Exclusive
An influencer has slammed the government for fining parents when they take kids out of school during term time.

'I was fined for taking my children on holiday during term time - the government has no right to punish me'

King Charles is set to visit Poland to pay respects to those that died in Holocaust.

King Charles 'set to star' in Amazon Prime documentary

Oliver White took his own life "as a direct result" of the robbery.

Jewellery store manager who took his own life after £1.4m raid 'saw the best in most people,' mum says

Exclusive
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during the Reform UK North West Essex conference at Parklands Quendon Hall

Nigel Farage says Tories are 'becoming desperate' as he stages Reform rally in Kemi Badenoch's constituency

A fire broke out at a synagogue in Salford

Large fire at synagogue in Salford as dozens of firefighters rush to the scene

Ukrainian soldiers raising the country's flag.

Europe divided over sending peacekeeping force to Ukraine

A man who was caught in the act stealing packets of meat from a supermarket has been jailed.

'You're nicked': Bodyworn camera footage shows moment police officer tackles serial shoplifter to the ground

Tony Blair

Brits 'will sacrifice privacy for efficiency', Blair claims as he pushes for digital ID cards and facial recognition

Crews search for survivors in the Potomac River outside Washington Reagan National Airport on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Horrifying moment of Washington mid-air crash, as Trump claims helicopter was 'flying too high'

Sarah Mayhew

‘Bloodthirsty’ couple jailed for life after killing and dismembering woman

World champion figure skaters and their coaches, a civil rights lawyer, students and their parents, and a soon-to-be-married pilot were among those who lost their lives in the tragic crash on Wednesday.

'Our hearts are shattered' - World champion skaters, troops and students among victims of Washington DC plane crash