New Zealand's South Island had dinosaurs, too

William Atkins
Sunday, 08 November 2009 18:18

Science - Biology

The scientists, headed by sedimentology-geologist G.H. "Greg" Browne, who explored the area, are saying the footprints were probably made by plant-eating sauropods that weighed several tons and were between two and six meters (seven and twenty-one feet) in length.

A YouTube video, by GNS Science, describing the finding is found at "Dinosaur footprints found in New Zealand.”

The discovery was actually made about ten years ago but was not made public until now.

Dr. Brown, of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), stated, "The structures show evidence that they were formed by something large and heavy that depressed the sand downward because of the load.”

And, he adds, "What makes this discovery special is the unique preservation of the footprints in an environment where they could easily have been destroyed by waves, tides or wind." [New Zealand Herald (11-8-09): “Dinosaur footprints in South Island revealed”]

The summary of the discovery will be published in December 2009 within the New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics.

For additional information, check out the November 7, 2009 Nelson Mail article “Scientists find dinosaur footprints.”