Chicxulub is an impact crater buried underneath the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It is associated with the asteroid impact that caused a mass extinction event approximately 66 million years ago, including the extinction of the dinosaurs.
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The Chicxulub crater is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) in diameter.
The impact event at Chicxulub released energy equivalent to billions of atomic bombs.
Chicxulub's impact led to massive wildfires, tsunamis, and a 'nuclear winter' effect due to dust and aerosols blocking sunlight.
The crater was discovered in the late 20th century through geophysical surveys and drilling projects.
Evidence supporting the Chicxulub impact theory includes iridium-rich clay layers found globally.
Review Questions
What is the estimated diameter of the Chicxulub crater?
What major global effects did the Chicxulub impact have on Earth's environment?
How was the Chicxulub crater initially discovered?
Related terms
Iridium Anomaly: A layer of sediment rich in iridium, often linked to asteroid impacts.
K-T Boundary: The geological signature marking the end of the Cretaceous period and start of the Tertiary period, associated with a mass extinction event.
Impact Winter: A hypothetical period of prolonged cold weather caused by sunlight-blocking particles from an asteroid or comet impact.