News Earth

A volcano-induced rainy period made Earth’s climate dinosaur-friendly

New evidence links ancient eruptions to climate changes that let dinos start a climb to dominance

illustration of several types of dinosaurs exploring a habitat with a lake and trees amid rain

During a 2-million-year-long rainy period in the Late Triassic, known as the Carnian Pluvial Episode (illustrated here), dinosaurs began to grow, diversify and take over.

© Davide Bonadonna

By Megan Sever

- More than 2 years ago

The biggest beasts to walk the Earth had humble beginnings. The first dinosaurs were cat-sized, lurking in the shadows, just waiting for their moment.