Chicxulub Impact

About

The Chicxulub asteroid impact occurred approximately 66 million years ago on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. This event is widely recognized as the cause of the mass extinction that led to the demise of dinosaurs and about 75% of Earth's species. The impact created a massive crater, estimated to be around 200 kilometers in diameter, not 180 km as previously stated. The asteroid itself was about 10 kilometers in diameter. The impact's effects were catastrophic, ejecting massive amounts of dust and debris into the atmosphere, causing a prolonged period of reduced sunlight and severe climate change. This "impact winter" led to the collapse of food chains, ultimately resulting in the extinction of many species. The crater is significant not only for its size but also for its well-preserved peak ring, providing valuable insights into impact dynamics and post-impact ecosystems.