What caused the extinction of the dinosaurs?

Evidence suggests an asteroid impact was the main culprit. Volcanic eruptions that caused large-scale climate change may also have been involved, together with more gradual changes to Earth’s climate that happened over millions of years.

What would happen if a planet crashed into Earth?

The atmospheres of both planets would be compressed together and glow brightly. It would get so hot that everything on the side of the Earth about to get hit would instantly vaporize. For the rest of the Earth, the ground would become scorching magma. The collision would cause friction between the two planets.

How big of an asteroid would it take to destroy the Earth?

Ultimately, scientists estimate that an asteroid would have to be about 96 km (60 miles) wide to completely and utterly wipe out life on our planet.

What if dinosaurs were still alive?

Most dinosaur species haven’t walked the Earth in about 65 million years, so the chances of finding DNA fragments that are robust enough to resurrect are slim. After all, if dinosaurs were alive today, their immune systems would probably be ill-equipped to handle our modern panoply of bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Did an asteroid kill the dinosaurs?

Luis Walter Alvarez (left) and his son Walter (right) are known for their theory that an asteroid collided with our planet 66 million years ago and caused all non-bird dinosaurs and many other animals to die out. Image: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory / Wikimedia Commons

What caused the dinosaurs to go extinct?

Dinosaurs were among the species that perished. It is widely believed that a large comet or asteroid impacted Earth and caused the extinction. Scientists are still refining our understanding, however, of the intricacies of the impact’s effects.

Is there evidence of an asteroid impact 65 million years ago?

So far there is no evidence of an asteroid impact at that time. The second greatest break is the one that we have discussed, 65 My ago, caused by an asteroid impact. Geologists have divided the eras into shorter intervals called Periods, such as the Jurassic Period, noted for its large dinosaurs.

What caused the extinction of the Earth?

It is widely believed that a large comet or asteroid impacted Earth and caused the extinction. Scientists are still refining our understanding, however, of the intricacies of the impact’s effects.