Before we begin, this is a follow-up to an article written in 2020 on our current understanding of the animals in the Jurassic World series. I recommend checking out that article here first if you haven’t already. This time, we will cover the new prehistoric animals introduced in Jurassic World: Dominion, which had not come out yet at the time … Continue Reading
Our series on mass extinctions has explored Earth’s five mass extinctions: the End-Ordovician, the Late Devonian, the End Permian, the End-Triassic, and the End-Cretaceous (K-Pg) extinction. We are at the last mass extinction event. What caused the End-Cretaceous mass extinction? The End-Cretaceous mass extinction was caused by a 6-9 mile (10-14 kilometer) asteroid striking Earth near Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula 66 … Continue Reading
The End-Triassic mass extinction represents a pivotal moment in Earth’s history. Often overlooked, this event fundamentally reshaped life on our planet by clearing the way for dinosaurs’ rise. It was significant as it would be the last mass extinction until the end of the Mesozoic. So what caused the End-Triassic mass extinction? The End-Triassic mass extinction was triggered by extensive … Continue Reading
In our series on mass extinctions, we’ve explored two significant events: the End Ordovician and Late Devonian mass extinctions. During these mass extinctions, many species disappeared. However, life showed remarkable resilience, bouncing back relatively quickly. Imagine comparing Earth’s species just before these mass extinctions to those present a few million years after each event. You might be surprised to find … Continue Reading
The Devonian period was characterized by fish diversification and the emergence of tetrapods. All this ended abruptly as various factors contributed to a radical die-off of most marine life. The consequences of this mass extinction were far-reaching, altering the evolutionary trajectory of vertebrate life and restructuring marine ecosystems. What could have triggered such a massive and targeted extinction? About 375 … Continue Reading
When most people think of mass extinction, their first thought is the end of the dinosaurs. You probably ended up here in search of a much older extinction. We’re going to discuss the first mass extinction: the End-Ordovician event. While you’re better off staying to read up on the topic, I’m sure you want to cut to the chase. What … Continue Reading
Most of us know that humans and dinosaurs did not coexist. So when did people first know about dinosaurs? 2024 marks 200 years since the first dinosaur was described. That sounds kind of late given how long our species has been around. Why were dinosaurs discovered so late? Dinosaurs were first scientifically recognized in the early 19th century. William Buckland … Continue Reading
The fossilization process is a remarkable phenomenon. It allows us to study the forms of life that inhabited our planet millions, and even billions, of years ago. From the smallest microorganisms to the mightiest dinosaurs, fossils offer an unparalleled glimpse into the past, preserving the intricate details of ancient creatures and ecosystems. The oldest fossils are around 4 billion years … Continue Reading
The Congo Basin has always been home to myths and legends. Among these, the most bizarre is the myth of living dinosaurs. You too are probably here in search of the famous Mokele-mbembe. Mokele-mbembe is often described as a modern sauropod dinosaur hidden in the rainforests of Africa. Does Mokele-mbembe exist or is this just a legend? The Mokele-mbembe remains … Continue Reading
The Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie, has intrigued millions worldwide. Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness is purportedly the home of this elusive creature. Is the Loch Ness Monster a dinosaur? Nessie is often thought to be a surviving plesiosaur. However, this is unlikely, as its reported neck posture, habitat preferences, and infrequent surface appearances are inconsistent … Continue Reading