Mystery of Pristine Dinosaur Fossils Unraveled by Scientists

A new study challenges the long-held belief that the exceptionally preserved dinosaur fossils in China's Yixian Formation were due to volcanic activity. Instead, researchers suggest these fossils, dating back 125.8 million years, were preserved by natural events like burrow collapses during rainy periods, rather than catastrophic volcanic events. This finding refutes previous theories of preservation by lahars or pyroclastic flows, as the fossils show no signs of such violent processes. The study highlights the importance of understanding ordinary events in fossil preservation.