Matching dinosaur footprints found on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean
An international team discovered matching dinosaur footprints from the Early Cretaceous in Brazil and Cameroon, indicating land connectivity between continents 120 million years ago, highlighting geological and paleontological significance.
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An international research team led by paleontologist Louis L. Jacobs from Southern Methodist University has discovered matching dinosaur footprints from the Early Cretaceous period on two continents, specifically in Brazil and Cameroon. The findings, which include over 260 footprints, indicate that land-dwelling dinosaurs were able to traverse between South America and Africa before the continents separated. The footprints, dating back approximately 120 million years, were found over 3,700 miles apart, suggesting a geological connection between the two regions during the time of the supercontinent Gondwana. The tracks were primarily made by three-toed theropod dinosaurs, with some possibly created by sauropods or ornithischians. The study highlights the geological and paleontological significance of the footprints, as they were formed in ancient river and lake sediments that once supported diverse ecosystems. The research also emphasizes the rifting process that began around 140 million years ago, leading to the eventual formation of the South Atlantic Ocean. The study was published in honor of the late paleontologist Martin Lockley, who extensively studied dinosaur tracks.
- Matching dinosaur footprints were found in Brazil and Cameroon, indicating a historical land connection.
- The footprints date back approximately 120 million years to the Early Cretaceous period.
- The research suggests that dinosaurs could traverse between continents before they separated.
- The study highlights the geological processes that led to the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean.
- The findings contribute to understanding ancient ecosystems and dinosaur behavior.
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- Several commenters reference the broader implications of geological and paleontological findings, linking them to theories like plate tectonics.
- There is curiosity about the age of the Earth and how it has changed over time, with some sharing personal experiences related to geology.
- Some commenters question the terminology used in the article, particularly the term "matching," and seek clarification on the specifics of the findings.
- Humor and skepticism are present, with jokes about dinosaurs and references to popular culture.
- Concerns about the reliability of sources and the repetition of information across media outlets are raised.
12 commentsNaomi Oreskes, a historian of science, details this in her book Plate Tectonics: An insider's history of the modern theory of the Earth (2001), which is one of the most powerful narratives of how a hypothesis can go from wild-eyed fringe to the absolute foundation of an entire scientific discipline, one whose own origins date to the earliest recorded history, in only 50 years.
<https://archive.org/details/platetectonicsin0000unse>
Kirkus review: <https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/naomi-oreskes/pla...>
And a shorter more recent article-length treatment from Oreskes:
<https://www.nature.com/articles/501027a> (2013)
This focuses strongly on mid-Atlantic rift magnetic polarisation, which was key in confirming the drift theory, though it briefly mentions other evidence which helped prompt and support it earlier.
It's always interesting to watch programs about paleontology and cosmology, and see them tossing around "millions" and "billions," like "minutes" and "seconds."
My mother[0] was a geologist, and our family vacations were often extremely educational. Every time we'd go through a roadcut on the highway, she would point out the layers, and tell me about the ages and whatnot.
Today's XKCD sort of speaks to this[1].
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