66 million years ago, the asteroid named “Chicxulub” hit the planet Earth and wiped off about 75% of its life, including three-quarter species of plants and animals (non-avian dinosaurs). It is the second-largest known crater that slammed the planet and washed off the 160-180 million years long era of dinosaurs.
The asteroid crashed into the Yucatán Peninsula (a Mexican state) with an energy level of more than 100 atomic bombs. The remains of the slamming asteroid are buried under several layers of sediments and rocks of the Mexican Gulf. The crater is divided into two parts in which a part of it is buried in land, whereas, another part of the crater exists offshore.
What Was The Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs
How Large Was The Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs?
Chicxulub was primarily 10 to 15 kilometres wide but its collision velocity made it 150 kilometres in diameter which is mainly 93 miles.
Where Did The Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs Land?
The asteroid settled down in the Gulf of Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula) after such a calamitous end of the dinosaur’s reign. The crater got divided into two parts in which a part of it is buried in land, whereas, other part of the crater exists offshore.
What Happened To The Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs?
Chicxulub slammed the planet, threw debris in the air which produced massive tidal waves killing three-quarters of life on Earth. Ultimately the crater settled down on the seafloor off the Mexican Coast. Therefore the area where it is buried is known as Chicxulub crater.
How Did The Asteroid Kill The Dinosaurs?
The moment Chicxulub hit the Earth, a huge amount of asteroid’s debris was tossed in the air that ultimately scattered up to several miles producing a massive tidal wave and killed about 75% (three-quarter) life on the planet.
Did Any Dinosaurs Survive The Asteroid?
As mentioned above, about 75% of dinosaurs and other living species died on the spot, whereas, research proves that avian dinosaurs (the ones that can fly), survived. Remaining species of dinosaurs (avian dinosaurs) might be killed due to volcanic eruptions, causing large-scale climate change, and this is how it took 66 million years for the extinction of all the species of dinosaurs.
How Fast Was The Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs?
Chicxulub was moving at the speed of 20-30 kilometers per second when it hit the Earth at a 60-degree angle (horizontally). Dinosaurs remained alive for probably 160-180 million years on Earth. However, it took 66 million years for dinosaurs to become extinct.
Why Did The Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs Explode?
The major reason behind the explosion of the asteroid was the conversion of energy. The kinetic energy of Chicxulub was converted into explosive energy. Therefore, when it hit the atmosphere again it tossed the debris in the air, including soil, rocks and dust particles. A massive tidal wave (that caused a deadly chemical reaction all around the Globe) scattered up to several miles and killed three-quarter life on the planet.
What Did The Chicxulub Impact Cause?
The moment Chicxulub slammed the planet Earth, it fell on the rocks of Mexican Peninsula and immediately produced a reaction in which a calcium sulphate mineral and sulphur vapours (shooted up in the stratosphere) mixed with water vapours, caused a heavy sulfuric acid rain.