Dinosaur question -- Was Earth's gravity lower in the past?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the hypothesis that ancient lower Earth gravity could explain the large size of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Participants explore the implications of this theory, including how Earth's gravity could have changed over time and alternative explanations for the size of these prehistoric creatures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that ancient lower Earth gravity is a necessary condition to explain the size of dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
  • One participant suggests that as the Earth cooled, it may have shrunk, potentially increasing surface gravity, but questions the feasibility of significant shrinkage over 100 million years.
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of a larger Earth in the past affecting its rotation speed and day length.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of considering climate factors, such as temperature and atmospheric composition (O2 and CO2 levels), in understanding the size of these creatures.
  • Requests for specific references and citations from peer-reviewed journals are made, highlighting the need for credible sources in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the ancient lower gravity hypothesis and the need for supporting evidence. There is no consensus on the explanation for the size of dinosaurs and pterosaurs, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the necessity of providing specific citations from refereed journals to substantiate claims, indicating a limitation in the current discussion due to a lack of references.

GregM
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New poster has been reminded that links to peer-reviewed papers or mainstream textbooks are required in the technical PF forums.
Hello everyone,
I have researched about dinosaurs and pterosaurs and a theory by various authors claiming the only way to explain their great size is with ancient lower Earth gravity . If this is supported theory among scientists then the next question is: How could the Earth have lower gravity? One idea I've had is as the Earth cooled it also shrunk and therefore by the inverse square law the same mass would have stronger surface gravity. However it seems unlikely the Earth shrunk so much in 100 million years, also if the Earth was much larger in the past, wouldn't shrinking cause a massive speed up in spin rotation? The Earth may had very long days in the past.
Can it have happened this way? Or is there a better simpler theory of why the dinos got so large? Any links to acedemic debates and conclusions on this question?
Thanks
 
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I would look into the climate side of things. Temperature, O2 CO2 levels.
@jim mcnamara @BillTre very knowledgeable on this
 
GregM said:
I have researched about dinosaurs and pterosaurs and a theory by various authors claiming the only way to explain their great size is with ancient lower Earth gravity .
Do you have references for these claims?
 
GregM said:
I have researched about dinosaurs and pterosaurs and a theory by various authors claiming the only way to explain their great size is with ancient lower Earth gravity
Here of PF it is not acceptable to say "I read that ... " (or your "I have researched ... " . You have to provide specific citations from refereed journals otherwise we might just be discussing nonsense.
 
Thread closed for Moderation...
 
Thread will remain closed. @GregM -- check your PMs. You may start a new thread about this question if you can find links to peer-reviewed journal articles about your question.
 
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