Chicxulub, the Asteroid That Killed the Dinosaurs Was Not Alone, Scientists Uncover Shocking Details Over the Mystery of Dinosaur Extinct

A recent research revealed that the Chicxulub asteroid impact which is believed to have caused the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago, may not be an isolated event. According to the study published in the journal Nature suggests the discovery of another significant asteroid that impacted off the coast of Guinea in West Africa could have played a crucial role in the catastrophic condition that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and the end of the Cretaceous period. Was the asteroid Chicxulub the only asteroid that killed the dinosaurs or there were other asteroids too? In this article, we'll learn about the details provided in the study that clears our confusion regarding the mystery of dinosaur extinct.

Mapping the Crater

Scientists have mapped the Nadir crater which spreads over eight kilometres in diametre and found out that it was created by an asteroid that was around 400 metres wide. The asteroid struck the Earth at a speed of 72,000 kilometers per hour between 65 and 67 million years ago. Although it was smaller than the renowned Chicxulub asteroid that was linked to mass extinction, it was still powerful enough to leave a significant mark on the planet. Earth’s Mini Moon: From Science Behind Home Planet’s Second Moon to Asteroid 2024 PT5’s Mahabharata Connection, 5 Things You Must Know.

Dr. Uisdean Nicholson, a marine geologist from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh stated, “The new images paint a picture of the catastrophic event.” The Nadir crater 2022 was discovered by him, the details of which were unclear until now. However, the full details of the impact have been recently released through advanced 3D seismic imaging. Dr. Nicholson described the findings to be “exquisite,” stating, “There are around 20 confirmed marine craters worldwide, and none of them has been captured in anything close to this level of detail.”

The impact from the Nadir asteroid likely triggered massive seismic tremors, causing the seabed to liquefy. This resulted in faults and landslides that left damage visible for miles beyond the crater's edge. Moreover, the collision generated a colossal tsunami, estimated to have reached heights of over 800 meters, which would have crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

Multiple Collisions at the End of the Cretaceous Period

Although the exact timing of this impact remains unsure, it raises the possibility that multiple collisions occurred near the end of the Cretaceous period, intensifying the environmental devastation. The Chicxulub impact, responsible for creating a 160-kilometer-wide crater on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, is still considered the primary cause of the dinosaurs' extinction, but this new discovery suggests the presence of another destructive force.

Dr. Nicholson compared this event and said, “closest humans have come to seeing something like this is the 1908 Tunguska event,” when a 50-metre-wide asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere and detonated over Siberia. The new seismic data from the Nadir crater offers scientists a unique opportunity to test theories about impact craters and develop new models for understanding crater formation in marine environments.

The study found the multiple collision was the result of the extinction of the dinosaurs. These findings open the door to new questions about how Earth's history of asteroid impacts has influenced the evolution of life and how vulnerable our planet might still be to such cosmic threats in the future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2024 05:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).