Trending Now - Imagining the Catastrophic Impact of the Dinosaur-killing Asteroid

WHO:

Phys.org - Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Ankylosaurus

The Conversation - Luis Alvarez, Nobel-prize-winning physicist

WHAT:

Phys.org - An asteroid impact occurred 66 million years ago, leading to the extinction of dinosaurs and about half of Earth's species.

The Conversation - The asteroid was approximately 10 km in diameter and created a crater that was 180 km across and 20 km deep.

The Conversation - The impact generated a transient cavity that was at least 30 km deep within 20 seconds of the collision.

The Conversation - The average surface temperature dropped by at least 5°C within a week after the impact.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The asteroid struck in the area of what is now the Caribbean.

The Conversation - The crater is located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and extends offshore.

WHEN:

The Conversation - The asteroid impact occurred 66 million years ago.

The Conversation - Evidence of the impact was first reported in 1980.

WHY:

The Conversation - The impact was caused by a giant asteroid colliding with Earth, which led to catastrophic environmental changes.

HOW:

The Conversation - The impact released a combination of kinetic, thermal, and seismic energy, resulting in shock waves and a series of catastrophic events.

The Conversation - The collision caused super-heated steam and atmospheric temperatures to rise above 500K (226.85°C), leading to widespread fires and destruction.

(UPDATED May 11, 2026 23:22 UTC)

A recent study has shed light on the catastrophic asteroid impact that occurred 66 million years ago, which is believed to have led to the extinction of dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops, as well as about half of Earth's species. The asteroid, measuring approximately 10 kilometers in diameter, struck what is now the Caribbean, creating a massive crater in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico that is 180 kilometers across and 20 kilometers deep. This collision unleashed tremendous energy, resulting in shock waves and super-heated steam that raised atmospheric temperatures above 500K, causing widespread fires and drastic environmental changes.