Dinosaurs

1. Dinosaurs Dinosaurs were massive reptiles which predate humans by millions to hundreds of millions of years. There were thousands of species, some carnivore some herbivore and some omnivore Some lived on land, some lived in the sea and some had the ability to fly.

2. Destruction Roughly 65 million years ago, a massive meteor fell to earth It crashed near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico The impact formed the Chicxulubcrater It has a diameter of 110 miles, making it the largest impact to ever happen on earth

3. Extinction An impact of such size caused a great deal of changes to occur Dust and rock was thrown into the sky, blocking out the sun Seas were boiled by the shockwave followed by waves of fire Almost all living creatures died

4. Aftermath Dirt and dust fell back to Earth causing rapid changes Animals and bodies were buried nearly instantly The effect was almost perfect preservation Millions of years caused the skeletons to fossilize into a rock like material

5. Excavation Today, fossils are being discovered regularly The fossils provide small glimpses into the past They can be studied to learn about the past For more information visit National Geographic - Extinction