A persistent drought in Texas has exposed approximately 70 dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Valley State Park. These prehistoric tracks, dating back around 113 million years, were previously concealed beneath water and sediment in the Paluxy River, which flows through the park.
Drought Now Covers 78% of Texas
On the afternoon of August 24, Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, registered a temperature of 109 degrees, marking the first instance of such high temperatures since August 27, 2011, as confirmed by the National Weather Service.
The scorching and arid summer weather is having a noticeable impact. Although it hasn't reached the severity seen across the entire state as it did in 2011, Southeast Texas is currently experiencing extremely dry conditions that are deteriorating.
Moreover, the data from the Texas Water Development Board shows that drought condition has covered 78% of the state. The portion experiencing exceptional drought (D4) has increased significantly from 1.49% on August 15, 2023, to 11.67% by August 22, 2023.
Central and Southeast Texas find themselves severely impacted by this drought, with a high risk of wildfires in Central, North, and Southeast Texas, along with water usage restrictions in effect at multiple sites in Central Texas.
Due to the extreme drought conditions in the state, prehistoric footprints emerged at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas. The park is known for safeguarding dinosaur footprints, and typically conceals some tracks under the Paluxy River's mud and water.
However, due to exceptionally low water levels this summer, around 70 previously hidden dinosaur footprints have become visible, and volunteers have been counting them.
READ ALSO: 16th-Century Catholic Church Emerges From the Depths of a Reservoir in Mexico Amid Drought
Footprints Likely From a Giant Carnivore and a Massive Elephant-Like Dinosaur
The dinosaur tracks found at the site are believed to belong to two different dinosaur species. The three-toed imprints are likely the result of the giant carnivorous dinosaur known as Acrocanthosaurus, while the footprints resembling those of an elephant are attributed to the massive long-necked sauropod called Sauroposeidon.
Acrocanthosaurus, which inhabited North America during the Early Cretaceous period (approximately 145 to 101 million years ago), ranked among the continent's largest predators, measuring around 40 feet (12 meters) in length.
In contrast, Sauroposeidon, a type of sauropod, surpassed it in size, stretching to about 100 feet (30 meters) in length and weighing a remarkable 110,000 pounds (50 metric tons), as documented by the Natural History Museum in London. A specific track, known as the "Lone Ranger Track," is believed to be one of the world's longest dinosaur tracks.
The discovery of these tracks was made by members of the nonprofit organization Friends of Dinosaur Valley State Park, which supports the park. They said that this find is the most tracks they have ever seen at the location.
Paul Baker, the retail manager at Friends of Dinosaur Valley State Park, explained that this discovery is uncommon and has become possible due to two consecutive years of high temperatures and drought conditions. He also noted that most of the tracks are likely to become covered again once substantial rainfall occurs.
The Dallas Paleontological Society plans to map these tracks and create casts for future research purposes.
RELATED ARTICLE: Severe Drought Reveals 113-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints at A Dried Up River in Texas
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