Tell us about the dinosaurs

[Sam]

Slightly on-topic, just read something interesting in an article (not published yet) where some Russian scientists have linked (they say proved... we will have to wait and see on that) the mass extinction events with the periodic magnetic polar inversions.

If right, it will give a partial reason... but why would this happen i have no idea, unless the reversal of the poles sends creatures mad. Still, we don't need to worry, the next one is not scheduled for something like another 80-100 million years...

Unless you are a god-botherer in which case you probably believe that the earth will not be around for that long because Gawd will end the world long before then.... for some evil reason that his worshippers think will be their reward. Go figure.

I've seen quite a few references to the coincidence of magnetic field inversions and Mass Extinction Events in the literature. I'm not sure in this case but many studies tend to link these reversals with periods of increased volcanic activty (related to the controversial issue of mantle plumes), or more specifically the occurence of Large Igneous Provinces such as the Siberian & Deccan Traps.

Very interesting area of the geosciences right now.

Sam