The extinction of dinosaurs, which were among the largest and most ferocious animals to have ever roamed the planet Earth, is the subject of various theories. They are thought to have gone extinct as a result of an asteroid striking Earth, according to one well-known scenario. A fresh study on the asteroid impact scenario has surfaced in the meantime, attempting to explain why they were wiped out.

Fox News claimed that a recent study claims that the massive dust cloud created by the asteroid hit is what drove dinosaurs extinct.

According to the findings, for fifteen years the Earth’s atmosphere was enveloped by a massive cloud of dust. It translated into a 24 degree drop in temperature. Two years were spent halting the photosynthetic process, which is how plants make food and oxygen.

The Tanis paleontology site in North Dakota has sediment layers that scientists have examined, revealing evidence of an asteroid impact. The extinction of dinosaurs was brought about by a series of events that began with an asteroid strike, as detailed by scientist Cem Berk Senel.

There could be serious difficulties if dust were to stop photosynthesis for an extended period of time. All species in the food chain could go extinct as a result, according to Senel, who spoke with the Washington Post.

Around 75% of all species that were present on Earth at the time of the asteroid impact are thought to have perished as a result of it, according to scientists. Some have claimed that the impact created a massive cloud that prevented plants from receiving sunlight, sparked wildfires, and discharged sulfur aerosols into the sky.

The researchers claimed that dust particles, rather than soot or sulfur aerosols, were the primary cause of sunlight blocking because they were smaller in size.

David Kring, a planetary scientist unrelated to the study, told the Washington Post, “The duration of darkness is really important, because if, in fact, photosynthesis was shut down, and that drove extinctions, it has to be dark for a fairly substantial length of time.”

Scientist Kring did point out that there isn’t a single factor that can be blamed for the demise of dinosaurs.

“The environmental effects of each of those events had varying degrees of impact and duration around the globe. Thus, one of the things we know in general—though not in great detail just yet—is that the extinctions were actually caused by a medley of environmental factors. There isn’t just one silver bullet, Kring clarified.

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