The day the dinosaurs died

This episode explores the Edelman Fossil Park and Museum in Mantua Township, New Jersey, focusing on the pivotal moment of the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago. Manoush Zomorodi interviews paleontologist Ken Lacovara, detailing his journey from initially dismissing the site to recognizing its unique value in understanding the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Against the backdrop of a former fertilizer quarry, Lacovara explains how the site preserves a complete death assemblage from the asteroid impact, including fossils and materials like iridium. More significantly, the discussion pivots to Lacovara's expeditions, including the discovery of Dreadnoughtus in Patagonia, emphasizing the importance of sedimentary rocks and erosion in fossil preservation. As the conversation progresses, Lacovara highlights the museum's mission to connect people with deep time and the urgency of addressing the current climate crisis, drawing parallels to past extinction events. Ultimately, the Edelman Fossil Park aims to inspire a sense of responsibility towards the planet, encouraging visitors to engage with paleontology and understand their place in Earth's history.