Scientists have warned that killer hurricanes may have been responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs – and there are fears that they could kill humans off next.
Devastating ‘hypercanes’ are believed to be far more powerful than regular hurricanes, whipping up terrifying winds with the potential to eradicate an entire species.
According to a new theory about the mysterious storms, hypercanes form over super-heated seas, like the oceans on Earth would be after a major asteroid impact.
The chilling theory claims the storms may have accompanied the final days of the dinosaurs, which were believed to have been annihilated by such an asteroid strike.
And if a hypercane were to form today, it could have the devastating effect of destroying the ozone layer, exposing us to the sun’s deadly radiation as a result.
The ozone layer is a naturally-occurring buildup of gas in the atmosphere which protects all life on Earth from being exposed to too much solar radiation.
And MIT lecturer Dr Kerry Emanuel, who worked on the apocalyptic theory, claims that hypercanes could eradicate this vital defensive barrier.
The scientist, who came up with the theory to explain the demise of the dinosaurs, told Daily Star Online that the swirling storms could stretch up to 25 miles tall, and whip up winds nearly as fast as the speed of sound.
