Charles FrankelThe End of the DinosaursChixculub Crater and Mass ExtinctionsMonika says:
The extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous 65 million years ago preoccupies experts and amateurs alike. Since the discovery of the Chicxulub Crater in the early 90ies even the last skeptic has to admit that a comet or asteroid impact put an end to the Mesozoic. But some scientists still find it hard to accept that the impact was responsible for the mass extinction. In his book Charles Frankel accumulates arguments - if not to say proof - for the theory that cosmic disasters were the incentive for many a mass extinction throughout earth history and explains using the geological data of the Chicxulub Crater why this specific impact must have had such a disastrous effect on the biosphere. The author proceeds as if it were a criminal investigation. The book starts with a description of the major evidence: the mass extinction as verified by fossil record. Then circumstantial evidence is collected, especially the iridium anomalies found all over the world in the boundary layer between Cretaceous and Tertiary, that got Walter Alvarez and his father Luis on to the cosmic impact theory. Then he lists one by one the other arguments for the hypothesis of the impact. The next chapter is dedicated to the controversial discussions that commenced after the first publication in SCIENCE and are still going on today. Here the latest discoveries about the extensive volcanic activity towards the end of the Cretaceous come in that according to some scientists was a crucial factor in the extinction of the dinosaurs. The following two chapters cover the search for and discovery of the Crater. Chapter 6 is about the effects of the impact. The author takes the view that an impact in the ocean would not just stir up some sediments locally that settle down quickly and would at worst cause the death of fish in the area. He describes the consequences of a slanting crash of a body the size of the Chixculub bolide in a way that nobody can doubt this would be anything but a locally restricted environmental disaster. One chapter dedicated to the known mass extinctions throughout the history of evolution and an outlook to the future of mankind round off the book. It is well-thought-out, homogeneous and compact. It is also gripping and interesting without falling into the trap of generalization or sensationalism. Even if the author leaves no doubt as to where he stands - he is an absolute supporter of the impact theory - he remains objective and attempts to refute the "opposing" arguments in a convincing way. LA MORT DES DINOSAURES is one of the best books published so far on the subject and I can strongly recommend it. It contains also an informative bibliography, an index and a glossary. Note: This review refers to the new 1999 edition of the French original. The book is due out in English in September 1999. Hardcover (September 1999) |
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Copyright 1999 Christina Gross & Monika Hübner |
