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How might the Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions have contributed to dinosaur extinction?

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Illustration showing various dinosaur species drawn to scale and grouped by geologic era: Late Cretaceous, Early Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic. Dinosaurs range from large species like Brachiosaurus and Tyrannosaurus to smaller ones like Velociraptor and Compsognathus, with a human silhouette included for size comparison. Measurement bars at the bottom indicate 1 meter and 3 feet for scale reference. — dinosaur A selection of dinosaurs grouped by the geologic interval in which they lived.

The Deccan Traps were a massive series of volcanic eruptions in India that occurred during the latest Cretaceous Period. While the asteroid theory remains a primary focus for explaining the mass extinction of dinosaurs, some paleontologists argue that these terrestrial volcanic events played a significant role in the environmental collapse.12

The potential contribution of the Deccan Traps to the extinction includes:

Global Warming: The eruptions released vast quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which may have triggered a significant greenhouse effect and warmed the planet.12
Habitat Deterioration: The resulting climatic changes may have led to a gradual degradation of the environments and habitats necessary for the survival of dinosaurs and other affected species.12

It is possible that these volcanic activities created a period of environmental stress that made ecosystems more vulnerable, potentially working in tandem with, or preceding, the catastrophic effects of a bolide impact.12