Here's why:
* Volcanic activity is a continuous process: Volcanoes are formed by the movement of tectonic plates and the resulting release of molten rock (magma). These processes have been happening for millions of years, including during the dinosaur era.
* Size depends on eruption volume: The size of a volcano is determined by the volume of magma that erupts. A small eruption will create a small volcano, while a massive eruption can create a large volcano like the ones we see today.
* Supervolcanoes: Even during the dinosaur era, supervolcanoes could have existed. These are volcanoes that produce enormous eruptions that can cover thousands of square miles with ash and lava. While rare, these events have happened throughout Earth's history.
Examples of large volcanoes during the dinosaur era:
* Shiprock, New Mexico (USA): This iconic rock formation is the eroded remnant of a massive volcanic neck that was formed during the Late Cretaceous period.
* Deccan Traps (India): This massive volcanic province formed during the Late Cretaceous period, with eruptions lasting millions of years. The immense volume of lava released is thought to have contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
So, while we can't say for sure what the biggest volcanoes were during the dinosaur era, it's safe to say that they could have been as large as any volcano we see today, and perhaps even larger.