International study confirms role of volcanic activity in dinosaur extinction

^{Short version in English by Diana Taborda}

A new international study led by Eric Font, a researcher at the University of Coimbra (UC), confirms the theory that giant volcanic eruptions contributed to the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.

The study, which also involved scientists from Germany, China and Switzerland, has just been published in the prestigious journal "Geology" and aims to rekindle the debate within the scientific community.

The findings "confirm that the Deccan volcanoes were erupting before the meteorite hit the earth, before the dinosaurs died, and that they were still erupting after the meteorite hit the earth". In other words, "Deccan volcanism may have been one of the main causes of the extinction of the dinosaurs".

The full article may be found here.