AI Insight
Researchers have identified the meteorite that struck Earth 66 million years ago as a rare CO chondrite, a type of carbonaceous meteorite that represents less than 1% of known meteorites. Using advanced nickel isotope analysis of samples, an international team from universities in Canada and Europe determined the specific composition of the Cretaceous-Paleogene impactor. This collision caused the extinction of 75% of Earth's species, including all non-avian dinosaurs.
Why it matters
Understanding the exact composition of extinction-level impact events helps scientists better assess future asteroid threats and refine models of mass extinction dynamics. This finding resolves a long-standing question about the specific type of object responsible for one of Earth's most significant biological catastrophes.
Understand the Science
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.
Source: Researchers identify class of 'oddball' meteorite that killed the dinosaurs