Scientists recreate how mass extinction happened 66 million years ago

8 Jun 2020

Scientists recreate how mass extinction happened 66 million years ago

Scientists recreate how mass extinction happened 66 million years ago66 million years ago, Earth was struck by a huge asteroid. This event wiped out about 75% of life on Earth, including dinosaurs. This is known as a 'mass extinction'.

Recent computer simulations by an international team of researchers suggest that this asteroid struck Earth at the “deadliest possible” angle.

This means it struck at such an angle which maximised its deadly effect on the planet and animals.

What does the study say?

For this study, scientists examined the shape and structure of the Chicxulub meteorite crater in Mexico. This is where the asteroid hit Earth.
 	The asteroid is thought to have been between 10 and 15 km wide while the Chicxulub meteorite crater measures around 200 km wide.
 	Then, they used the data to create 3D computer models of a similar-sized asteroid travelling approximately 43,000 km/h.
 	They found that the asteroid struck Earth at an angle of about 60 degrees.

What happened when the asteroid hit?

The upper layers around the Chicxulub crater contain high amounts of water as well as porous carbonate and evaporite rocks.
 	When heated and disturbed by the asteroid impact, these rocks would have decomposed, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide, sulphur and water vapour into the atmosphere.
 	The sulphur blocked the Sun’s rays, halting photosynthesis in plants and rapidly cooling the climate, leading to the mass extinction.

If the asteroid had come in from straight overhead, it would not have been so deadly.

Talking about dinosaurs, we have this interesting poem from yesterday. If you haven't read it, you missed something big. Dinosaurs by Aabir Basu.

Here is a video on the biggest asteroids that have hit Earth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGkjTYqtpco

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