They are expected to soon be submerged again with rain forecast
Dinosaur tracks from around 113 million years ago have been revealed on a river bed in Texas because of severe drought conditions.
Drought conditions at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas have caused a river in the park to dry out completely in some spots, revealing the footprints.
Speaking to CNN, park spokesperson Stephanie Salinas Garcia said: “Most tracks that have recently been uncovered and discovered at different parts of the river in the park belong to Acrocanthosaurus.
“This was a dinosaur that would stand, as an adult, about 15 feet tall and (weigh) close to seven tons.”
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Some of the prints also belong to Sauroposeidon, which could grow to around 60 feet tall and weigh about 44 tonnes as an adult.
The prints are filled with sediment when underwater, making them less visible from the surface.
In the last week, much of Texas has experienced severe drought. According to US Drought Monitor, more than 60 percent of the state has experienced extreme or exceptional drought.
This has been followed by flash flooding in the Dallas area as climate change continues to increase the potential for dramatic swings between periods of drought and heavy rainfall.
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The dinosaur tracks on the river bed are expected to soon be buried again, with rain forecast.
Garcia said that even though the footprints are only going to be visible for a brief amount of time, their discovery has “brought about the wonder and excitement about finding new dinosaur tracks at the park.”
“Dinosaur Valley State Park will continue to protect these 113-million year-old tracks not only for present, but future generations,” she added.
Related links:
- Meteorologists explain why drought leads to dangerous flooding with one simple experiment
- Amazing pictures show dinosaur ‘killed on the same day’ giant asteroid hit Earth
- Giant ‘killer’ crocodile discovered with baby dinosaur still in its stomach
