Did Toxic Gas Kill the Dinosaurs?
In Did Toxic Gas Kill the Dinosaurs?, naturalist Steve Backshall explains how invisible, toxic gas came to be a killer of dinosaurs millions of years ago. In addition to causing lava flows and forest fires, volcanic eruptions also produced fumes that were extremely deadly to dinosaurs. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Deadly Dinosaurs, a documentary series in which host Steve Backshall is on the hunt for the deadliest animals to have walked the Earth — dinosaurs — exploring features of several species and putting their abilities to the test to reveal the raw power of these creatures.
Lesson Express
Q: As described in the video, what dangerous conditions are caused by volcanoes?
A: Volcanoes can cause hot lava flow, black smoke, forest fires, hot rock bombs, clouds of ash, and gas that comes out of the vents of a volcano.
Q: What makes the gas that comes from volcanoes so dangerous?
A: It cannot be seen and it has no smell, taste, or color.
Q: What made the tinfoil boat appear to “float” near the top of the glass aquarium even though there is no water to hold it up?
A: There is an invisible gas that is very heavy, so it sinks to the bottom of the tank and stays there. The tinfoil boat is above the gas.
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In All About Australian Animals, narrator Sir David Attenborough reveals how the animals living on Australia as it broke away from Gondwanaland have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world. Red flying foxes are newer residents who flew along the chain of volcanic islands linking Asia and Australia. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
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In Dinosaur Killer: Floods, naturalist Steve Backshall shows how massive floods may have been responsible for killing large numbers of dinosaurs millions of years ago. Despite the size and power of dinosaurs, monsoon floods are believed to have killed many Centrosaurus dinosaurs, whose bodies did not allow for skilled swimming. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Deadly Dinosaurs, a documentary series in which host Steve Backshall is on the hunt for the deadliest animals to have walked the Earth — dinosaurs — exploring features of several species and putting their abilities to the test to reveal the raw power of these creatures.
In All About Australian Animals, narrator Sir David Attenborough reveals how the animals living on Australia as it broke away from Gondwanaland have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world. Red flying foxes are newer residents who flew along the chain of volcanic islands linking Asia and Australia. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In The Survival of Majungasaurus, naturalist Steve Backshall details the lengths that this type of dinosaur had to go to in order to survive, including cannibalism.This video is excerpted from BBC’s Deadly Dinosaurs, a documentary series in which host Steve Backshall is on the hunt for the deadliest animals to have walked the Earth — dinosaurs — exploring features of several species and putting their abilities to the test to reveal the raw power of these creatures.
In Dinosaur Killer: Sandstorm, naturalist Steve Backshall describes how massive sandstorms may have been responsible for killing large numbers of dinosaurs by blinding and suffocating anything in its path. Gigantoraptor was particularly vulnerable since it was extremely protective of its eggs, which were often buried in the sand. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Deadly Dinosaurs, a documentary series in which host Steve Backshall is on the hunt for the deadliest animals to have walked the Earth — dinosaurs — exploring features of several species and putting their abilities to the test to reveal the raw power of these creatures.