An Impact Simulation

What Caused the Mass Extinction Recorded at the K-T Boundary?


ESU801	An Impact Simulation

Computers are used today not only to create fantastic worlds on the movie screen, but also to help us test ideas and better understand natural phenomena. Modeling asteroid impacts on computers helps scientists test their ideas and more accurately interpret evidence of the impact.

! Click the image to watch a simulation of the K-T asteroid impact.

6. Describe how Earth's systems might interact after an asteroid impact.

Jennifer Loomis, TERC

A simulation of the asteroid impact that occurred 65 million years ago near the Yucatan penninsula.

Although most scientists now agree that an asteroid impact occurred, there is still debate as to how the impact caused a mass extinction.

! Click the links below to learn about current extinction arguments.




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