From phys.org
It is a classic chase scene in modern cinematic history. The image of a rampant Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) chasing Jeff Goldblum as he sits injured in the back of a 4x4 vehicle in Stephen Spielberg's original film adaptation of Jurassic Park.
But could a T. rex actually move that fast, or even run at all?
New research from the University of Manchester says the sheer size and weight of T. rex means it couldn't move at high speed, as its leg-bones would have buckled under its own weight load.
The research, published by journal PeerJ, looks extensively into the gait and biomechanics of the world's most famous Dinosaur and, using the latest high performance computing technology from N8 High Performance Computing (HPC), has created a new simulation model to test its findings.
Led by Professor William Sellers from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the researchers have combined two separate biomechanical techniques, known as multibody dynamic analysis (MBDA) and skeletal stress analysis (SSA), into one simulation model, creating a new more accurate one.
Prof Sellers says the results demonstrate any running gaits for T. rex would probably lead to 'unacceptably high skeletal loads'. Meaning, in layman's terms, any running would simply break the dinosaur's legs. This contradicts the running speeds predicted by previous biomechanical models which can suggest anything up to 45mph.
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Saturday July 22 2017, @08:43AM
Meme of the day: #run_spicey_run
(Score: 2) by Dr Spin on Saturday July 22 2017, @09:29AM (2 children)
Of course, being related to the chicken, it could have reduced the load on its legs by flapping its wings.
Maybe, over the years, this could have lead to the invention of powered flight!
Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @10:28AM
> Maybe, over the years, this could have lead to the invention of powered flight!
Maybe it could have led to zeppelins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @04:29PM
But can it do "The Macerena"?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @11:17AM (3 children)
Is it possible that dinosaurs actually came to Earth from a Mars, thousands of years ago? The lower gravity (allegedly... gravity is only a theory) would put less stress on the dragon's legs, exactly as designed by the the Creator. Amirite, where do I collect my PhD?
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @11:35AM
Would the congressman from California please refrain from texting during session?
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @05:49PM (1 child)
A lot of things start making sense (higher temperatures, etc) if you assume the atmosphere was much thicker back then.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-sea_gigantism [wikipedia.org]
http://www.dinosaurtheory.com/thick_atmosphere.html [dinosaurtheory.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 24 2017, @10:19AM
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v9/n6/full/ngeo2713.html?foxtrotcallback=true [nature.com]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 22 2017, @01:20PM (1 child)
The biggest extant land creature doesn't run.
T. Rex was much bigger.
Seems quite obvious the bigger critter didn't run either.
...and those giant ants in that silly movie wouldn't even be able to walk on those spindly legs.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Informative) by richtopia on Saturday July 22 2017, @03:54PM
Came here to mention elephants myself: http://whyfiles.org/shorties/128elephant_run/ [whyfiles.org]
As the article states, they don't run in the classic sense, but they accelerate their walking gaunt. I would imagine the T-Rex can still move quite fast, even if it doesn't meet the criteria for running.
(Score: 1) by terrab0t on Saturday July 22 2017, @08:31PM
Those old claymation special effects had it right all along.
It may be because making a claymation creature run is hard, but I bet they looked at the size of the big dinosaurs and correctly guessed they were lumbering beasts.