The asteroid that caused the K-Pg (Cretaceous–Paleogene) extinction event, often called the Chicxulub impactor, is estimated to have been about 10 to 15 kilometers (6 to 9 miles) in diameter. To put that in perspective, it was roughly the size of Mount Everest, or large enough to span the width of a major city like Manhattan.
This massive asteroid struck the Earth approximately 66 million years ago, impacting the Yucatán Peninsula in what is now Mexico. The impact created the Chicxulub crater, which is over 180 kilometers (110 miles) in diameter and 20 kilometers (12 miles) deep, though it is now largely buried under sediment.
The immediate effects of the impact were catastrophic: tsunamis thousands of feet high, widespread wildfires, and a massive shockwave. However, the long-term effects were even more devastating. The impact ejected vast amounts of dust, ash, and aerosols into the atmosphere, blocking out the sun for months or even years. This led to a global winter, widespread crop failure, and the collapse of food chains, ultimately causing the extinction of about 75% of all plant and animal species on Earth, including most non-avian dinosaurs.
Pro tip: While the K-Pg event is famous for wiping out the dinosaurs, it also paved the way for the rise of mammals. The ecological vacuum created by the extinction allowed surviving mammalian species to diversify and eventually dominate the planet.
Learning. A documentary or educational video that visually explains the impact event, its immediate aftermath, and the resulting global changes.
Learning. The original classic that inspired many, offering profound insights into the universe, Earth's place in it, and the history of life.
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