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Ancient Dinosaur Tracks Challenge Extinction Beliefs in South Africa

2/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The youngest known dinosaur tracks are 132 million years old and lie along South Africa's Western Cape coast.
Ichnologists discovered the tracks.
A South African Journal of Science study challenges the belief that dinosaurs vanished after catastrophic volcanic eruptions.
The findings indicate that a region thought barren for nearly 50 million years supports a thriving dinosaur population.

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Story summary

The youngest known dinosaur tracks are 132 million years old and lie along South Africa's Western Cape coast.
Ichnologists discovered the tracks.
A South African Journal of Science study challenges the belief that dinosaurs vanished after catastrophic volcanic eruptions.
The findings indicate that a region thought barren for nearly 50 million years supports a thriving dinosaur population.