Ancient charcoal reveals evidence of wildfires near the South Pole

A journey back in time to the Late Cretaceous: A swampy rainforest with conifers and tree ferns stretches as far as the eye can see, dinosaurs roam through the misty wetlands, and the climate is mild and warm. The average annual temperature is 12°C (54°F)—around two degrees higher than in present-day Germany. There is plenty of water, too, as dry periods are regularly followed by monsoon-like rainy seasons.

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