How and when did dinosaurs die? — Johnny of Norfolk, VA

Dear Johnny,

Scientists do not know why all the dinosaurs died out. Some people who believe in evolution have suggested that a huge object from space once smashed into the Earth. When this object hit the Earth, tons of dust were thrown up into the air. This dust stopped some of the Sun’s rays from reaching the Earth. Without enough sunshine plants died, and the Earth got very cold. So the dinosaurs became extinct because they could not live without food and warmth. The Bible says nothing about huge objects crashing to Earth from space. But it does mention a great Flood. This Flood killed every animal on Earth, except those animals that Noah took on the ark. This included dinosaurs. Scientists who believe in the Bible say that dinosaurs tried to live after the Flood, but it was just too hard. They did not like the climate, and there was not enough food.