Decades ago, hundreds of dinosaur tracks were found southwest of the Dallas area. This led to the creation and preservation of Dinosaur Valley State Park, where due to Texas’ severe drought, scientists have now uncovered new dinosaur tracks in the dried up river.

“Most tracks that have recently been uncovered and discovered at different parts of the river in the park belong to Acroanthosaurus,” Stephanie Salinas Garcia said.

The Acrocanthosaurus is a dinosaur that an adult would stand up to 15 feet tall and weighs seven tons.

The Acrocanthosaurus was not the only species of dinosaur that left tracks. Another species of dinosaur that left tracks was the Sauroposeidon.

The Sauroposeidon is a species of dinosaur that would stand up to 60 feet and weigh about 44 tons. This dinosaur weighs almost four times more and is almost six times taller.

Scientists and experts believed that the Acroncanthosaurus preyed on Sauroposeidon. They believe that this is most likely the reason tracks of both the dinosaurs were found close to each other.

“Being able to find these discoveries and experience new dinosaur tracks is always an exciting time at the park,” Garcia said.

Normally the tracks would be filled with dirt, rocks, sand and sediments all while underwater. Therefore, it is very hard for park owners and supervisors to spot tracks underwater.

Garcia also added that it is not clear to know how long the tracks have been and will be visible, nor how many tracks were found.

The tracks are expected to be buried again as it starts to rain. This helps to protect the dinosaur tracks from weathering and erosion.

Several states in the U.S. have been experiencing a drought and extreme weather conditions. These conditions have caused water levels to drop, not only showing us dinosaur tracks.

In a lake in 20 miles east of Las Vegas known as Lake Mead, have also been drying out due to drought.

Human remains and a ship have been found in the lake due to dropping water levels. These historical items are estimated to date back to World War II.

As water levels decreased many things have been found that people were not able to see when there was water, Maybe the drought wasn’t as bad as we thought.

Sources:

NBC

CNN

The Guardian