[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index][Subject Index][Author Index]
Re: Dinosaur weights
> Just a thought, would it be possible to estimate weights from tracks? If
>the original consistency of the soil can be estimated, wouldn't it be
>possible to figure the ground pressure needed to produce track depth; then
>figure the weight necessary to produce that pressure?
I know this subject is touched on in
Alexander, R.M. 1985. Mechanics of posture and gait of some large
dinosaurs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 83:1-25.
I can't remember which direction the calculations went, mass from
footprints or ground pressure from estimated mass, but I do seem to
remember Alexander concluding that sauropod feet might have exerted a
ground pressure similar to that produced by the treads of a main
battle tank.
Matt Wedel