K-T extinction thought experinment

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In summary, the conversation discusses the idea of whether any animal orders would have survived if the asteroid did not hit. It is acknowledged that this is purely speculative and it is questioned how one could prove it. The mention of dinosaurs possibly still being alive and the possibility of other events causing extinctions is also brought up. The conversation ends with a recommendation for a book called "Darwin's Universe" which explores the evolution of creatures on other planets.
  • #1
aquitaine
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If the asteroid didn't hit, then of the multitude of animal orders that went extinct (ammonites, most marine reptiles like mosasaurs, dinosaurs, etc) would any have survived to this day?
 
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  • #2
It's all speculative, really.

Intuition would say that they would still be alive today, but how do you do about proving that?
 
  • #3
ndnkyd said:
It's all speculative, really.

Intuition would say that they would still be alive today, but how do you do about proving that?

I heard some dinosaurs singing outside my window this morning... :approve:
 
  • #4
Well, look at it this way, were any of them on the way out before the asteroid hit?

It's all speculative, really.
Exactly, it's a thought experinment.
 
  • #5
aquitaine said:
If the asteroid didn't hit, then of the multitude of animal orders that went extinct (ammonites, most marine reptiles like mosasaurs, dinosaurs, etc) would any have survived to this day?
Probably, and we wouldn't be here.
 
  • #6
Yes its speculative, but didn't the Deccan vulcanicity and the collision of India and Asia occur around this time?
So something nasty might have happened anyway, these events have also been blamed for the KT extinctions.
 
  • #7
Sorry... it's experiment, not experiNment. There's a good book that deals with some ideas like that but it's specifically what sorts of creatures would evolve on other planets and why. It's called Darwin's Universe. Pretty fun read.
 

1. What is the K-T extinction?

The K-T extinction, also known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, was a mass extinction event that occurred approximately 66 million years ago. It is known for causing the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species of plants and animals.

2. What is a thought experiment?

A thought experiment is a mental exercise or hypothetical scenario used to explore a concept or theory. It does not involve any physical experimentation, but instead relies on reasoning and imagination to understand a concept or idea.

3. How does the K-T extinction thought experiment work?

The K-T extinction thought experiment involves imagining a scenario where a large asteroid or comet strikes the Earth, causing a global catastrophe. This event is believed to have been the cause of the K-T extinction, and the thought experiment helps scientists understand the effects of such an impact.

4. What can we learn from the K-T extinction thought experiment?

The thought experiment allows scientists to explore the potential consequences of a catastrophic event on Earth. It can help us understand how ecosystems and species may respond to such an event and how it could impact the planet's climate and environment.

5. What are some criticisms of the K-T extinction thought experiment?

Some critics argue that the thought experiment is limited in its ability to accurately predict the effects of the K-T extinction, as it is based on hypothetical scenarios. Others suggest that it may oversimplify the complexity of the actual event and its impacts on Earth's ecosystems.

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