Researchers identify class of 'oddball' meteorite that killed the dinosaurs
Researchers have identified a rare CO chondrite meteorite as the likely object that caused the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago. The study suggests that fine atmospheric debris, rather than sulfur, was the primary driver of the global climate shift.
Why it matters
Refining the understanding of the dinosaur extinction event helps scientists better model planetary defense and atmospheric impacts.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add as preferred source Dr. Philippe Claeys, a visiting professor at the University of British Columbia, in front of an exhibit at the Pacific Museum of Earth. Credit: University of British Columbia. A rare CO chondrite meteorite was the probable impacter that struck Earth 66 million years ago, wiping out 75% of Earth's species, including nonavian dinosaurs. These findings are published in Science Advances . Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Paris, Brussels and Vienna, used advanced nickel isotope analysis of samples to narrow down the composition of the deadly Cretaceous-Paleogene meteorite.
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