Discovering Chicxulub Crater
In the 1970s, geophysicists discovered the Chicxulub Crater beneath Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It spans about 150 kilometers, buried under half a kilometer of sediment, obscured from direct observation and shrouded in mystery.
Alvarez Hypothesis Emerges
In 1980, Luis and Walter Alvarez proposed a groundbreaking theory: an asteroid impact caused the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. A worldwide layer of iridium-rich clay supported their hypothesis, suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
Crater Dating Reveals Age
Precise dating techniques showed that the Chicxulub Crater formed 66 million years ago, coinciding exactly with the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. This temporal match provided crucial support for the Alvarez hypothesis.
Shocked Quartz: Smoking Gun
Analysis of the Chicxulub Crater revealed shocked quartz, a form of the mineral only created by high-pressure impacts. This unique evidence further cemented the asteroid impact theory and its role in the dinosaurs' demise.
Mega-Tsunami Aftermath
The asteroid's impact likely generated a mega-tsunami, with evidence found as far as Texas. This tsunami left a telltale sedimentary record, adding another layer of confirmation to the catastrophic event.
Soot Layer and Global Darkening
A global layer of soot found in the geologic record suggests widespread wildfires post-impact. This would have caused a 'nuclear winter' effect, drastically cooling the planet and disrupting photosynthesis for years.
Revolutionizing Mass Extinction Studies
The acceptance of the Alvarez hypothesis revolutionized our understanding of mass extinctions, showing how rapid, catastrophic events can drastically alter life on Earth, challenging previous gradualist perspectives on extinction.
Where is the Chicxulub Crater located?
Under Yucatán Peninsula
Beneath the Pacific Ocean
In the Sahara Desert
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