Scientists Discover Second Asteroid Impact From Dinosaur Extinction Era
Study:Scientists Discover Second Asteroid Impact IdentifiedFrom Dating to Dinosaur Extinction Era
The Facts
Scientists have discovered evidence of a second large asteroid impact that occurred around the same time as the dinosaur extinction event 66M years ago, suggesting that not one but two asteroid impacts occurred during that tumultuous time in geologic history.
According to a study published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment on Thursday, the newly studied Nadir crater, located off the coast of Guinea in West Africa, is presumed to have been created by an asteroid estimated at 450-500 meters (492-547 yards) wide.
The Spin
This discovery is a game-changer for understanding Earth's history. Multiple giant asteroid impacts around the same time could have had a cumulative effect on the planet's climate and ecosystems — potentially explaining the severity of the mass extinction event. The detailed imaging of the Nadir crater provides valuable insights into impact processes and their consequences.
While the Nadir crater is significant, it's unclear if it rivals the Chicxulub impact. Its effects could have been localized and it may or may not have contributed significantly to global climate change or mass extinction. When discussing the end-Cretaceous extinction, the focus should remain on the cataclysmic Chicxulub event.
While scientists appear to be understanding the dinosaurs' abrupt extinction, the species was likely on its way out — albeit at a slower rate — without the help of a celestial attack. At the time, the Earth was cooling and turning widespread tropical climates into less vegetative climates. Like most species throughout Earth's history, dinosaurs likely lost their food source.