Deccan Traps

geological formation, India

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July 21, 2026

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The Deccan Traps are a large igneous province in west-central India. This geological formation consists of more than 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) of lava flows that erupted over an area of approximately 500,000 square km (190,000 square miles). The eruptions occurred from the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene Epoch, roughly 50 million years ago.1

The Deccan Traps are considered by some paleontologists to have played a role in the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The massive outpouring of lava released carbon dioxide, potentially creating a global greenhouse effect that significantly warmed the planet. This warming, along with other potential factors like an asteroid impact, contributed to the extinction of many species, including the dinosaurs.2

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Cretaceous Period
Mass extinction
…lava, known as the Deccan Traps, occurred in India during the latest Cretaceous. Some paleontologists believe that the carbon dioxide that accompanied these flows created a global greenhouse effect that greatly warmed the planet. Others note that tectonic plate movements caused a major rearrangement of the world’s landmasses, particularly during…
Read More
…lava, known as the Deccan Traps, occurred in India during the latest Cretaceous. Some paleontologists believe that the carbon dioxide that accompanied these flows created a global greenhouse effect that greatly warmed the planet. Others note that tectonic plate movements caused a major rearrangement of the world’s landmasses, particularly during…
Read More

How Long Did Dinosaurs Live?
…of lava, known as the Deccan Traps, that occurred in India at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
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…of lava, known as the Deccan Traps, that occurred in India at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
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K–T extinction
…of lava, known as the Deccan Traps, occurred in India at the end of the Cretaceous. Some paleontologists believe that the carbon dioxide that accompanied these flows created a global greenhouse effect that greatly warmed the planet. Others note that tectonic plate movements caused a major rearrangement of the world’s…
Read More
…of lava, known as the Deccan Traps, occurred in India at the end of the Cretaceous. Some paleontologists believe that the carbon dioxide that accompanied these flows created a global greenhouse effect that greatly warmed the planet. Others note that tectonic plate movements caused a major rearrangement of the world’s…
Read More