When Did Dinosaurs Become Extinct? | U.S. Geological Survey

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Frequently Asked Questions
Geology

When did dinosaurs become extinct?

Dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years ago (at the end of the Cretaceous Period), after living on Earth for about 165 million years. If all of Earth time from the very beginning of the dinosaurs to today were compressed into 365 days (one calendar year), the dinosaurs appeared January 1 and became extinct the third week of September. (Using this same time scale, the Earth would have formed approximately 18.5 years earlier.) Using the same scale, people (Homo sapiens) have been on earth only since December 31 (New Year's eve). The dinosaurs' long period of dominance certainly makes them unqualified successes in the history of life on Earth.

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Items per page 6 12 Label Image: Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals? Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals?

No. There is no evidence of a correlation between mass extinctions and magnetic pole reversals. Earth’s magnetic field and its atmosphere protect us from solar radiation. It’s not clear whether a weak magnetic field during a polarity transition would allow enough solar radiation to reach the Earth's surface that it would cause extinctions. But reversals happen rather frequently--every million...

Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals?

Learn More This image shows four large dinosaur skeletons.

Did all the dinosaurs live together, and at the same time? Did all the dinosaurs live together, and at the same time?

Dinosaur communities were separated by both time and geography. The 'Age of Dinosaurs' (the Mesozoic Era) included three consecutive geologic time periods (the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods). Different dinosaur species lived during each of these three periods. For example, the Jurassic dinosaur Stegosaurus had already been extinct for approximately 80 million years before the...

Did all the dinosaurs live together, and at the same time?

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What was Pangea? What was Pangea?

From about 300-200 million years ago (late Paleozoic Era until the very late Triassic), the continent we now know as North America was contiguous with Africa, South America, and Europe. They all existed as a single continent called Pangea. Pangea first began to be torn apart when a three-pronged fissure grew between Africa, South America, and North America. Rifting began as magma welled up through...

What was Pangea?

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Did people and dinosaurs live at the same time? Did people and dinosaurs live at the same time?

No! After the dinosaurs died out, nearly 65 million years passed before people appeared on Earth. However, small mammals (including shrew-sized primates) were alive at the time of the dinosaurs. Some scientists who study dinosaurs (vertebrate paleontologists) now think that birds are direct descendants of one line of carnivorous dinosaurs, and some consider that they in fact represent modern...

Did people and dinosaurs live at the same time?

Learn More Image: African Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus)

Were dinosaurs warm-blooded or cold-blooded? Were dinosaurs warm-blooded or cold-blooded?

Scientists have conflicting opinions on this subject. Some paleontologists think that all dinosaurs were 'warm-blooded' in the same sense that modern birds and mammals are: that is, they had rapid metabolic rates. Other scientists think it unlikely that any dinosaur could have had a rapid metabolic rate. Some scientists think that very big dinosaurs could have had warm bodies because of their...

Were dinosaurs warm-blooded or cold-blooded?

Learn More Geologic time periods

Where did dinosaurs live? Where did dinosaurs live?

Dinosaurs lived on all of the continents. At the beginning of the age of dinosaurs (during the Triassic Period, about 230 million years ago), the continents were arranged together as a single supercontinent called Pangea. During the 165 million years of dinosaur existence this supercontinent slowly broke apart. Its pieces then spread across the globe into a nearly modern arrangement by a process...

Where did dinosaurs live?

Learn More Image: USGS Snowmastodon Research

Why did some dinosaurs grow so big? Why did some dinosaurs grow so big?

Paleontologists don't know for certain, but perhaps a large body size protected them from most predators, helped to regulate internal body temperature, or let them reach new sources of food (some probably browsed treetops, as giraffes do today). No modern animals except whales are even close in size to the largest dinosaurs; therefore, paleontologists think that the dinosaurs' world was much...

Why did some dinosaurs grow so big?

Learn More This Placenticeras meeki ammonite specimen from our Campanian Pueblo, Colorado Pierre Shale collection of the CRC website

Can USGS photos of fossils be downloaded or viewed online? Can USGS photos of fossils be downloaded or viewed online?

Some fossil photos can be viewed and downloaded from the USGS Photographic Library and our Multimedia Gallery. Fossil photos can also be viewed as published plates within many online USGS publications. Visit the USGS Publications Warehouse to search for publications. The best keywords for searches are author names, such as William Cobban, Norm Silberling, and Glenn Scott. The USGS fossil...

Can USGS photos of fossils be downloaded or viewed online?

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USGS Visual Identity - Black (TM) USGS Visual Identity - Black (TM) Earth History of the National Capital Region – Volcanoes, Earthquakes & Dinosaurs… Oh My! Earth History of the National Capital Region – Volcanoes, Earthquakes & Dinosaurs… Oh My! USGS

USGS Visual Identity - Black (TM) USGS Visual Identity - Black (TM) July 5, 2011

Earth History of the National Capital Region – Volcanoes, Earthquakes & Dinosaurs… Oh My!

Earth History of the National Capital Region – Volcanoes, Earthquakes & Dinosaurs… Oh My! Earth History of the National Capital Region – Volcanoes, Earthquakes & Dinosaurs… Oh My!

Reston, Virginia, was founded 47 years ago & Europeans first settled in the National Capital region 403 years ago. This human footprint can't compare to the dynamic Earth history of this region, extending back as early as 1,180 million years ago and continuing today.

By Earthquake Hazards Program, Communications and Publishing USGS

USGS Visual Identity - Black (TM) USGS Visual Identity - Black (TM) July 5, 2011

Earth History of the National Capital Region – Volcanoes, Earthquakes & Dinosaurs… Oh My!

By Earthquake Hazards Program, Communications and Publishing

USGS CoreCast Series USGS CoreCast Series Fossil Discovery Makes History: Studying a Prehistoric Climate and Ecosystem in Colorado Fossil Discovery Makes History: Studying a Prehistoric Climate and Ecosystem in Colorado

USGS CoreCast Series USGS CoreCast Series December 7, 2010

Fossil Discovery Makes History: Studying a Prehistoric Climate and Ecosystem in Colorado

Fossil Discovery Makes History: Studying a Prehistoric Climate and Ecosystem in Colorado Fossil Discovery Makes History: Studying a Prehistoric Climate and Ecosystem in Colorado

A trio of USGS scientists has been involved in the excavation and study of a major animal and plant fossil discovery in Snowmass Village, Colo., which provides more than 100,000 years of vegetation and climate records for the area.

By Communications and Publishing

USGS CoreCast Series USGS CoreCast Series December 7, 2010

Fossil Discovery Makes History: Studying a Prehistoric Climate and Ecosystem in Colorado

By Communications and Publishing

CoreFacts Album Artwork CoreFacts Album Artwork How are dinosaurs named? How are dinosaurs named?

CoreFacts Album Artwork CoreFacts Album Artwork July 10, 2008

How are dinosaurs named?

How are dinosaurs named? How are dinosaurs named?

Listen to hear the answer.

By Communications and Publishing

CoreFacts Album Artwork CoreFacts Album Artwork July 10, 2008

How are dinosaurs named?

Listen to hear the answer.

By Communications and Publishing

CoreFacts Album Artwork CoreFacts Album Artwork Which was the smartest dinosaur? Which was the smartest dinosaur?

CoreFacts Album Artwork CoreFacts Album Artwork February 27, 2008

Which was the smartest dinosaur?

Which was the smartest dinosaur? Which was the smartest dinosaur?

Listen to hear the answer.

By Communications and Publishing

CoreFacts Album Artwork CoreFacts Album Artwork February 27, 2008

Which was the smartest dinosaur?

Listen to hear the answer.

By Communications and Publishing Image: Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana) Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana) Image: Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

February 20, 2008

Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana) Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

A fossilized Trilobite, Phacops rana africana, an extinct marine invertebrate. Item originally from Alnif, Morocco.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

February 20, 2008

Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

A fossilized Trilobite, Phacops rana africana, an extinct marine invertebrate. Item originally from Alnif, Morocco.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Trilobite Fossil

Trilobite Fossil Trilobite Fossil Image: Trilobite Fossil

February 20, 2008

Trilobite Fossil

Trilobite Fossil Trilobite Fossil

Trilobite fossil, an extinct marine invertebrate. Item originally from Alnif, Morocco.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Trilobite Fossil

February 20, 2008

Trilobite Fossil

Trilobite fossil, an extinct marine invertebrate. Item originally from Alnif, Morocco.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys) Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys) Image: Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

February 20, 2008

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys) Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossilized Jiang Hanichthys, an extinct fish that lived fromthe Cretaceaous to 100 million years ago. Item originally from Hubai Province, China.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

February 20, 2008

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossilized Jiang Hanichthys, an extinct fish that lived fromthe Cretaceaous to 100 million years ago. Item originally from Hubai Province, China.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys) Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys) Image: Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

February 20, 2008

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys) Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossilized Jiang Hanichthys, an extinct fish that lived from the Cretaceaous to 100 million years ago. Item originally from Hubai Province, China.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

February 20, 2008

Fossil Fish (Jiang Hanichthys)

Fossilized Jiang Hanichthys, an extinct fish that lived from the Cretaceaous to 100 million years ago. Item originally from Hubai Province, China.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Dinosaur Tracks

Dinosaur Tracks Dinosaur Tracks Image: Dinosaur Tracks

July 27, 2006

Dinosaur Tracks

Dinosaur Tracks Dinosaur Tracks

Dinosaur tracks in the Jurassic Moenave Formation. It is a popular site for tourists to stop and meet local Navajo and Moenkopi Hopi guides who lead short tours through the tracks area.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Dinosaur Tracks

July 27, 2006

Dinosaur Tracks

Dinosaur tracks in the Jurassic Moenave Formation. It is a popular site for tourists to stop and meet local Navajo and Moenkopi Hopi guides who lead short tours through the tracks area.

By Ecosystems, Communications and Publishing Image: Mastodon Fossil

Mastodon Fossil Mastodon Fossil Image: Mastodon Fossil

Mastodon Fossil

Mastodon Fossil Mastodon Fossil

Denver Museum of Nature and Science personnel excavate a large mastodon tusk at the Ziegler Reservoir site.

By Communications and Publishing Image: Mastodon Fossil

Mastodon Fossil

Denver Museum of Nature and Science personnel excavate a large mastodon tusk at the Ziegler Reservoir site.

By Communications and Publishing Image: Mammoth Fossils

Mammoth Fossils Mammoth Fossils Image: Mammoth Fossils

Mammoth Fossils

Mammoth Fossils Mammoth Fossils

Excavation of the initial Columbian mammoth remains found at the Ziegler Reservoir site.

By Communications and Publishing Image: Mammoth Fossils

Mammoth Fossils

Excavation of the initial Columbian mammoth remains found at the Ziegler Reservoir site.

By Communications and Publishing Filter Total Items: 13 Publication Type (field_pub_type) Type Article Book Book Chapter Conference Paper Extramural-Authored Publication Paper Newsletter Other Preprint Report Thesis Release Date (field_release_date) Year 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901 1900 1899 1898 1897 1896 1895 1894 1893 1892 1891 1890 1889 1888 1887 1886 1885 1884 1883 1882 1881 1880 1879 1878 1877 1876 1875 1874 1873 1872 1871 1870 1869 1868 1867 1866 1865 1864 1863 1862 1861 1860 1859 1858 1857 1856 1855 1854 1853 1852 1851 1850 1849 1848 1847 1846 1845 1844 1843 1842 1841 1840 1839 1838 1837 1836 1835 1834 1833 1832 1831 1830 1829 1828 1827 1826 1825 1824 1823 1822 1821 1820 1819 1818 1817 1816 1815 1814 1813 1812 1811 Items per page 6 12 Label May 3, 2012

Divisions of geologic time (Bookmark) Divisions of geologic time (Bookmark)

Description This bookmark presents information that is widely sought by educators and students. Version 3.0 of this bookmark is updated according to chapter C of U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1879–1. The bookmark contains names of geologic time periods and boundary age estimates ratified by the International Commission of Stratigraphy in 2023. Authors May 1, 2010

Why Study Paleoclimate? Why Study Paleoclimate?

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researchers are at the forefront of paleoclimate research, the study of past climates. With their unique skills and perspective, only geologists have the tools necessary to delve into the distant past (long before instrumental records were collected) in order to better understand global environmental conditions that were very different from today's... Authors Marci Robinson, Harry Dowsett October 7, 2008

The Geologic Time Spiral - A Path to the Past The Geologic Time Spiral - A Path to the Past

The Earth is very old - 4.5 billion years or more according to scientific estimates. Most of the evidence for an ancient Earth is contained in the rocks that form the Earth's crust. The rock layers themselves - like pages in a long and complicated history - record the events of the past, and buried within them are the remains of life - the plants and animals that evolved from organic... Authors Joseph Graham, William Newman, John Stacy April 3, 2007

Divisions of Geologic Time—Major Chronostratigraphic and Geochronologic Units Divisions of Geologic Time—Major Chronostratigraphic and Geochronologic Units

Effective communication in the geosciences requires consistent uses of stratigraphic nomenclature, especially divisions of geologic time. A geologic time scale is composed of standard stratigraphic divisions based on rock sequences and calibrated in years. Over the years, the development of new dating methods and refinement of previous ones have stimulated revisions to geologic time... Authors January 1, 1999

Dinosaurs, facts and fiction Dinosaurs, facts and fiction

No abstract available. Authors Ronald Litwin, Robert Weems, Thomas Holtz September 1, 1997

Crinoids; a computer animation and paper model Crinoids; a computer animation and paper model

No abstract available. Authors Tau Alpha, Dorothy Stout, Scott Starratt January 1, 1997

Geologic time Geologic time

No abstract available. Authors William Newman January 1, 1997

Geologic age: using radioactive decay to determine geologic age Geologic age: using radioactive decay to determine geologic age

At the close of the 18th century, the haze of fantasy and mysticism that tended to obscure the true nature of the Earth was being swept away. Careful studies by scientists showed that rocks had diverse origins. Some rock layers, containing clearly identifiable fossil remains of fish and other forms of aquatic animal and plant life, originally formed in the ocean. Other layers, consisting... Authors January 1, 1997

Mud fossils Mud fossils

Chicxulub impact event; computer animations and paper models Chicxulub impact event; computer animations and paper models

No abstract available. Authors T. Alpha, John Galloway, S. W. Starratt January 1, 1994

Make your own paper fossils; a computer animation and paper models Make your own paper fossils; a computer animation and paper models

No abstract available. Authors Tau Alpha, James Hendley, Scott Starratt January 1, 1992

The Great Ice Age The Great Ice Age

The Great Ice Age, a recent chapter in the Earth's history, was a period of recurring widespread glaciations. During the Pleistocene Epoch of the geologic time scale, which began about a million or more years ago, mountain glaciers formed on all continents, the icecaps of Antarctica and Greenland were more extensive and thicker than today, and vast glaciers, in places as much as several... Authors Louis Ray

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Items per page 6 12 Label EarthWord – Tertiary March 21, 2016

EarthWord – Tertiary

The Tertiary is a system of rocks, above the Cretaceous and below the Quaternary, that defines the Tertiary Period of geologic time. T

Read Article "Mutant" Fossils Reveal Toxic Metals May Have Contributed to World’s Largest Extinctions August 31, 2015

"Mutant" Fossils Reveal Toxic Metals May Have Contributed to World’s Largest Extinctions

Toxic metals such as iron, lead and arsenic may have helped cause mass extinctions in the world’s oceans millions of years ago, according to recent... Read Article New Volume Documents the Science at the Legendary Snowmastodon Fossil Site in Colorado November 24, 2014

New Volume Documents the Science at the Legendary Snowmastodon Fossil Site in Colorado

Four years ago, a bulldozer operator turned over some bones during construction at Ziegler Reservoir near Snowmass Village, Colorado. Scientists from...

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FAQ Items per page 6 12 Label Image: Trilobite Fossil (Phacops rana africana)

Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals? Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals?

Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals?

Learn More This image shows four large dinosaur skeletons.

Did all the dinosaurs live together, and at the same time? Did all the dinosaurs live together, and at the same time?

Did all the dinosaurs live together, and at the same time?

Learn More Earth in motion