One of the greatest mysteries in planetary history appears to be approaching a resolution. An international team of scientists announced that the asteroid responsible for the mass extinction of the dinosaurs roughly 66 million years ago belonged to an exceptionally rare type of meteorite known as a CO carbonaceous chondrite. Findings from the research were published in the scientific journal Science Advances, with the study led by Philippe Claeys from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels).
Just 5% of meteorites possess this composition
According to researchers, CO carbonaceous chondrites account for a mere 5% of meteorites discovered on Earth. These celestial bodies formed in the outer Solar System under specific conditions and are characterized by an extremely low sulfur content. Their unique chemical signature appears to have played a decisive role in the catastrophic consequences of the impact that altered the course of planetary evolution.
The dust that "extinguished" the Sun
Scientists estimate that the true driver of the mass extinction was not solely the immediate impact itself, but primarily the immense volume of fine dust launched into the atmosphere from the vaporized asteroid and target rocks. This dense plume lingered in the atmosphere for years, blocking a substantial portion of solar radiation. The drastic reduction in sunlight led to a rapid temperature decline, systemic ecosystem collapses, and ultimately the extinction of roughly 75% of Earth's species, including non-avian dinosaurs.
Impressive discovery in China
Concurrently, paleontologists in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China announced another major discovery. Researchers identified hundreds of microscopic amber fragments dating back approximately 385 million years to the Middle Devonian period. This discovery pushes back the geological record of amber significantly, proving to be roughly 65 million years older than the previous record holder and predating the emergence of early dinosaur species by more than 150 million years.
One step closer to understanding the greatest extinction
The new study offers vital evidence regarding the fundamental nature of the asteroid that triggered one of the most destructive events in Earth's history. While several questions remain unresolved, scientists maintain that pinpointing the precise composition of the impactor body represents a major milestone toward comprehending the catastrophe that redirected the evolutionary trajectory of life.
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