The other species left behind at the park in Glen Rose, Texas, was Sauroposeidon, which would have been about 60 feet tall and weighed about 44 tons as an adult, Garcia added. This summer’s extreme drought has caused a river in the park to dry up completely in most places, revealing the tracks — the latest hidden secret to be revealed recently as bodies of water have dried up due to drought conditions around the world. More than 60% of Texas was experiencing drought last week in two of the most severe categories, according to the US Drought Monitor. The state has also experienced recent heat waves that have pushed temperatures into the triple digits, leaving millions on extreme heat alerts. The human-caused climate crisis has also raised the possibility of more frequent dramatic changes in periods of drought and high rainfall, such as flooding this week in the Dallas area. Under normal weather conditions, the dinosaur tracks found in the riverbed are underwater and filled with sediment, which makes them less visible, Garcia explained. “Being able to find these discoveries and experience new dinosaur tracks is always an exciting time at the park!” added Garcia. Meanwhile, the tracks are expected to be buried again as rain is forecast, said Garcia, who added that the process helps protect the lines from natural weathering and erosion. “While these newest dinosaur tracks were visible for a short period of time, it sparked the wonder and excitement of finding new dinosaur tracks in the park,” Garcia said. “Dinosaur Valley State Park will continue to protect these 113-million-year-old tracks, not only for today, but for future generations.” The footprints are just the latest discovery revealed by drought-induced water levels both in the US and abroad: five rows of human remains have been discovered in Utah’s Lake Mead in recent months as the reservoir has dropped to 27% approximately its maximum capacity. In Eastern Serbia, dozens of German warships still loaded with explosives were exposed in the drying Danube River. A prehistoric stone circle named the Spanish Stonehenge has been uncovered in the receding Valdecanas reservoir in rural Spain. And Buddhist statues believed to be 600 years old have been found in the depleted Yangtze River.
