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Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event
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Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event
Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. Image 1 of 8. Artwork of an asteroid approaching the Earth. The Moon is at lower centre. This is the asteroid that is thought to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs when it collided with the Earth. The collision took place around 65 million years ago, marking the end of the Cretaceous period and the beginning of the Tertiary period. The impact took place at sea, sending tsunamis (massive waves) around the globe, destroying coastal areas. Water vapour thrown into the atmosphere lowered global temperatures. Plant and then animal life began to die off. The dinosaurs never recovered, and mammals rose to become the dominant form of life. For the sequence, see images E402/173 to E402/180
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Media ID 6341015
© RICHARD BIZLEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Approach Approaching Asteroid Asteroid Impact Bolide Catastrophe Chicxulub Asteroid Climatological Climatology Collision Course Cretaceous Cretaceous Palaeogene Cretaceous Paleogene Cretaceous Tertiary Earth Science End Of The World K Pg Kt Extinction Event Mass Extinction Event Meteorite Moon Pre Historic Pre History Series Solar System Tertiary
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This print captures the pivotal moment in Earth's history known as the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. In this stunning artwork, we witness an asteroid hurtling towards our planet, with the Moon calmly observing from its lower center position. This particular asteroid is believed to be responsible for the catastrophic event that led to the demise of dinosaurs and marked a significant transition between geological periods. Approximately 65 million years ago, this colossal collision occurred at sea, triggering devastating tsunamis that ravaged coastal areas worldwide. The impact also propelled vast amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere, causing a dramatic drop in global temperatures. As a result, plant life began to wither away followed by mass animal extinctions. The dinosaurs were unable to recover from this cataclysmic event, allowing mammals to rise and eventually dominate as Earth's primary life form. This image serves as a powerful reminder of nature's immense power and resilience throughout time. Displayed within this series are additional images (E402/173 to E402/180) that further depict various aspects of this sequence - providing us with valuable insights into one of the most significant events in Earth's history. This awe-inspiring illustration not only showcases our planet's past but also highlights humanity's continuous quest for understanding our origins and place within the universe.
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