Hey there! You might have been expecting Jessi, but today I’m here to share an exciting mystery with you. Jessi and Squeaks are off on an adventure in Yucatán, Mexico, doing some detective work. They’re trying to solve one of the biggest mysteries ever: What happened to the dinosaurs?
Dinosaurs were amazing creatures that lived a long time ago, around 65 million years back. They ruled the Earth for over 160 million years! But then, something strange happened. Not just to dinosaurs, but to over half of all living things on Earth. Many species, like oak trees, birds, and even tiny ocean creatures, went extinct all at once!
Scientists are curious about what caused so many species to disappear. They have a few ideas. One popular guess is that a giant rock from space, called an asteroid, crashed into Earth. This is what Jessi and Squeaks are learning about in Mexico!
Jessi called to share what they found. About 65 million years ago, a huge asteroid, 12 kilometers wide, hit the Yucatán Peninsula. It created a massive crater called the Chicxulub crater, which is 150 kilometers wide. The explosion was so powerful that it sent rocks and soot into the air, blocking out the Sun. This made the Earth really hot for a few days and caused fires, giant waves, and strong winds.
Without sunlight, it got cold, and plants couldn’t survive. Without plants, plant-eating animals didn’t have food, and without them, meat-eating animals went hungry too. This is why some scientists think the asteroid caused the dinosaurs to go extinct.
But there’s another idea. Some scientists believe that even before the asteroid hit, volcanoes were causing trouble for the dinosaurs. Huge volcanic eruptions in what is now India sent dust and soot into the air, blocking the Sun and cooling the Earth. This could have also contributed to the dinosaurs’ extinction.
We don’t know for sure what caused the dinosaurs to disappear. It might have been the asteroid, the volcanoes, or both! Even though we have many clues, the true cause remains a mystery. But life on Earth continued, and some plants and animals survived the changes.
Do you have any big mysteries you’re curious about? Ask a grownup to help you leave a comment or send an email to [email protected]. And if you want to join us next time, hit that subscribe button!
Asteroid Experiment: Create your own mini asteroid impact at home! Fill a shallow tray with flour and sprinkle a thin layer of cocoa powder on top. Drop a small ball or rock from a height onto the tray. Observe the crater it makes and discuss how this might be similar to the Chicxulub crater. What happens to the flour and cocoa powder when the ball hits? How does this help us understand the impact of the asteroid on Earth?
Volcano Eruption Simulation: Make a simple volcano using baking soda and vinegar. Shape some playdough or clay around a small cup to form a volcano shape. Add a spoonful of baking soda inside the cup, then pour in vinegar and watch it “erupt.” Discuss how volcanic eruptions might have affected the dinosaurs. What do you notice about the “lava” flow? How might real volcanoes have changed the environment for dinosaurs?
Extinction Detective: Go on a nature walk and look for plants and animals. Think about what might happen if one of these plants or animals disappeared. How would it affect the others? Draw a picture or write a story about what you find. Discuss how the disappearance of the dinosaurs might have changed life on Earth and how some species survived the changes.
