Life retuned “ridiculously fast” after dinosaurs’ extinction, study finds

Fahad Redha

March 27, 2026
3 min read

Life retuned “ridiculously fast” after dinosaurs’ extinction, study finds

A study The University of Texas at Austin and published in Geology, has found that life returned very quickly following the extinction of the dinosaurs. A new species of plankton emerged in under 2,000 following the meteor impact.

The new research suggests that the catastrophic event, which caused global fires, dramatic changes in the climate, and the extinction of many species including the non-avian dinosaurs, may have opened the door for life to rebound far quicker than previously assumed.

Ancient Bonds: Dogs Became Man’s Best Friend Earlier Than Thought

New archaeological evidence suggests the relationship between humans and canines dates back much further into history.

Hidden History: Mary Anning Letter Reveals Fossil Fatigue

A recently uncovered letter from the famous palaeontologist reveals her surprising true feelings about her life’s work.

Seasonal Spectacle: Where to Find Epping Forest Bluebells

Discover the best spots to witness the annual bloom of bluebells within London’s historic ancient woodland.

The pace of evolution is extremely fast compared with what is typically seen in the fossil record, Chris Lowery, the study’s lead author and a research associate professor at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) at the Jackson School of Geosciences said.

“It’s ridiculously fast,” said Lowery. “This research helps us understand just how quickly new species can evolve after extreme events and also how quickly the environment began to recover after the Chicxulub impact.”

Previous work from Lowery and colleagues studying the Chicxulub crater in the Gulf of Mexico had found that some surviving organisms returned to the area quickly following the impact. But it was long thought that new species did not appear for tens of thousands of years.

The authors of this new study say that the assumption ignored major changes in the environment that happened following a collapse of ecosystems on land as well as the oceans.

Stay tuned to EyeOnLondon for the latest news and expert opinions.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!

About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.