Dinosaurs thrived in the warm temperatures and mild weather of what we call the Mesozoic Era. But 66 million years ago, the world’s climate drastically changed. Earth became like a Zach Snyder film—much colder and darker. Plants died, food became scarce, and three-quarters of the creatures on Earth—including most of the dinosaurs—went extinct.

We still debate what caused this relatively sudden change in climate. Two popular theories are an asteroid strike and the eruption of a giant volcano.


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