by WolverineSyr » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:08 pm
Thanks Marv - you know I'm one of those geeks too. [;)]
I belong to a couple of paleontology listservs. If you think we can be a little disrespectful of each other - you should check them out! Anytime a new or modified idea comes up it's attacked & torn apart with suprising & irrational venom. It's quite a cult-like atmosphere.
Anyways - Greta Keller's theory came up a couple of months ago & it caused quite a bit of drama...even from the people who advocate that a comet didn't kill off the dinosaurs. I'm all for debate, but when it degenerates into childish snits and name calling - that's another thing.
The Deccan traps in conjunction with a natural decline in species and a huge impact event sounds good to me.
If you like this stuff - check out the Permian extinction - that was THE BIG ONE which allowed the dinosaurs to eventually take over. It certainly gives you perspective on how fragile life can be, but incredibly resilliant at the same time.