By Web Desk 
On October 23, 2024, renewed discussions in Pakistan’s scientific community focused on the widely debated theories surrounding dinosaur extinction. While Pakistan may not have been home to many of the largest dinosaur species, the country’s researchers continue to contribute to global paleontological debates, using findings from South Asia’s prehistoric sites to provide insights into extinction causes. Several competing theories have emerged, with Pakistani scientists playing an active role in contextualizing the event.
The most prominent hypothesis remains the asteroid impact theory, which suggests that a massive asteroid struck the Yucatán Peninsula about 66 million years ago. This impact, known as the Chicxulub event, would have led to widespread fires, a “nuclear winter” effect, and significant disruptions to Earth’s climate. Pakistani geologists, in collaboration with international teams, have studied South Asian sediment layers for signs of this catastrophic event, finding evidence that supports the global cooling that followed.
Another key theory discussed by scientists in Pakistan involves volcanic activity. The Deccan Traps, massive volcanic formations located in India, are believed to have released enormous amounts of volcanic gases into the atmosphere. This led to climate change and ocean acidification, factors that Pakistani paleontologists believe might have contributed significantly to the demise of dinosaurs.
While these are the dominant theories, Pakistani scholars have also explored lesser-known hypotheses, such as gradual climate shifts and disease outbreaks, providing a more nuanced understanding of the event. Pakistan’s growing academic interest in paleontology, bolstered by local research projects, continues to add value to global conversations on this fascinating prehistoric mystery.