DINOSAUR tracks from 113 million years ago have been uncovered at a Texas state park after severe drought dried up a river.
Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas was one of a number of areas impacted by a statewide drought last week.
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The state park allows visitors to observe dinosaur tracks and camp along 20 miles of trails.
“Due to the excessive drought conditions this past summer, the river dried up completely in most locations, allowing for more tracks to be uncovered here in the park,” Stephanie Salinas Garcia from the park’s press office told CBS News.
The tracks are believed to belong to two species, according to The New York Post.
One footprint is believed to belong to the theropod Acrocanthosaurus, which stood 15 feet tall and weighed 7 tons.
Some of the footprints are also said to have belonged to the Sauroposeidon, which was a towering 60 feet tall.
It was the tallest dinosaur known, according to the McGill School Of Computer Science.
“Under normal river conditions, these newer tracks are underwater and are commonly filled in with sediment, making them buried and not as visible,” Garcia said.
“Being able to find these discoveries and experience new dinosaur tracks is always an exciting time at the park.”
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The tracks were visible briefly but the heavy rain coming into Texas this week is expected to cover the tracks again.
The visibility of the tracks depends on the amount of rainfall in the area, CBS News reported.
Though the tracks uncovered by the drought are expected to be buried again, the sediment helps protect them from natural weathering and erosion, according to the news outlet.
Garcia said: “Dinosaur Valley State Park will continue to protect these 113-million year old tracks not only for present, but future generations.”
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