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What do recent fossil studies say about dinosaurs' decline?
New fossil dating from regions like New Mexico shows that dinosaurs remained diverse and thriving until the asteroid impact at the end of the Cretaceous. This challenges earlier ideas that dinosaurs were already in decline before the mass extinction event.
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How does this new research challenge previous ideas?
Previously, many scientists believed dinosaurs were gradually declining due to environmental changes. The new findings suggest that dinosaurs were still abundant and diverse close to the extinction, indicating that the asteroid impact was likely the main cause of their sudden demise.
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What does this mean for our understanding of extinction events?
This research supports the idea that the asteroid impact was a sudden, catastrophic event that caused mass extinction, rather than a slow decline over millions of years. It shifts the focus toward understanding how such impacts can rapidly wipe out entire species.
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Are there other recent discoveries about prehistoric life?
Yes, scientists continue to uncover new fossils and dating techniques that shed light on prehistoric ecosystems. These discoveries help refine our understanding of how ancient creatures lived, thrived, and suddenly disappeared.
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Could dinosaurs have survived the impact if conditions were different?
While some speculate about survival scenarios, current evidence indicates that the impact caused immediate and widespread destruction, making survival unlikely. The new fossil data suggests dinosaurs were still thriving until the moment of impact.
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Why is this discovery important for paleontology?
This finding changes the narrative of dinosaur extinction, emphasizing the role of sudden catastrophic events over gradual decline. It helps scientists better understand extinction mechanisms and the history of life on Earth.