3D scan used to create model of the colossal sea monster

December 23rd, 2010 - 9:18 pm ICT by Aishwarya Bhatt  

article-0-0c913381000005dc-473_634x436 London, Dec 23 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Scientists want to recreate a creature that got perished with the dinosaurs.

Scientists are currently using 3D CT scanner to picture the fossilized skull of the colossal sea monster that was found on the Dorset coast. The skull is at the Southampton University currently and it is estimated to be about twice the size of the killer whale. The creature is also believed to have weighed a massive 60 tonnes.

The sea monster is believed to have roamed the seas in the prehistoric era. Scientists estimate that the creature lived some 150 millions years ago and if the reconstruction is successful, it will be the first time that the animal will be shown in 3D.

An engineer at the Southampton University who is involved in the project, Dr. Mark Mavrogordato explained that, “We have to extract the most information from the fossil and we certainly don’t want to destroy it so this really is the perfect tool. In the end, we will have a 3D volume representing the original specimen.”

The scanner is capable of taking several pictures of the fossil at a short time of exposure thereby reducing the risk of destroying the bone.

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