August 26th, 2024

Dinosaur Footprints on Either Side of the Atlantic Are Matching Sets

A study revealed over 260 dinosaur footprints in South America and Africa, dating back 120 million years, highlighting the historical connection between continents that were once part of the Gondwana supercontinent.

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Dinosaur Footprints on Either Side of the Atlantic Are Matching Sets

A recent study by paleontologists has revealed over 260 dinosaur footprints in South America and Africa that correspond to each other, highlighting the historical connection between the continents. These footprints, approximately 120 million years old, were found in regions that were once part of the Gondwana supercontinent, specifically in Brazil and Cameroon. The tracks, primarily made by theropods—bipedal, carnivorous dinosaurs—also include prints from sauropods and ornithischians. The findings suggest that these dinosaurs roamed across land that is now separated by over 3,000 miles of ocean, indicating that the continents were once joined. The study emphasizes the significance of trace fossils, which provide insights into dinosaur behavior and movement, beyond what can be learned from bones alone. This discovery serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of Earth's continents and the ancient ecosystems that existed when dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial animals.

- Over 260 matching dinosaur footprints found in South America and Africa.

- Footprints date back approximately 120 million years, from the time of the Gondwana supercontinent.

- Tracks primarily belong to theropods, with additional prints from sauropods and ornithischians.

- Findings illustrate the historical connection between continents now separated by oceans.

- Trace fossils offer valuable insights into dinosaur behavior and movement.

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Link Icon 5 comments
By @oaththrowaway - 5 months
By @lowkey - 5 months
One of the most fascinating verifiable geography facts I am aware of is that while the oldest known landmasses are on the order of 4 billion years old, the oldest known oceanic techtonic plates are 0.2 billion years old.
By @dotnet00 - 5 months
The headline makes it sound like they're somehow, by sheer coincidence, matched to the same dinosaur. But it's just the much less sensational and novel seeming find of footprints from the same species.
By @DarkmSparks - 5 months
turns out Moses was a dinosaur
By @brk - 5 months
So they could swim?