[no subject]

It is now beyond 'some dating evidence'.  They *definately*
spanned the K-T boundary.  (The eruptions lasted about half
a million to slightly over a million years).

The clincher is the paleomagnetic data, which clearly shows the
Deccan's spanning the K-T boundary.  The K-T boundary is in the
29R magentic interval, the basalts start in the preceding normal
interval, and continue into the following normal interval.

 > These MAY have been caused by metor
 > impacts.

Almost certainly NOT.

The Deccan Traps are associated with the initial eruptions of
the hot spot now off the coast of Madagascar.  Hot spots are almost
certainly at least mantle plumes, and may well originate at the
core-mantle boundary.  This sort of plume could not possibly be
initiated by a meteorite impact (it certainly would not last
66 million years if caused by an impact)..

swf@elsegundoca.ncr.com         sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.