Got into a real argument about the Chicxulub crater at a field camp in Arizona

Cora White · 2026-03-29T07:00:07.136418+00:00

We were mapping near the Kaibab Formation and my friend Mike insisted the impact winter was the main dinosaur killer, but I think the Deccan Traps volcanism did more damage over time. He pointed to the global iridium layer, I brought up the longer climate shifts from the lava flows. Anyone have a strong take on which event was actually worse for life back then?

diana_park3mo ago

The Deccan Traps released enough sulfur to cause repeated acid rains though - did Mike ever factor in how that stacked against the single impact winter pulse?

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wilson.jesse5mo ago

Arguing over which disaster killed the dinosaurs is my kind of rock bottom.

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schmidt.reese5mo ago

My buddy Dave still gets mad about the Deccan Traps debate from his geology trip.

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