August 16, 2024
Researchers have identified the Chicxulub impactor, which caused the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago, as a rare type of meteorite called a carbonaceous chondrite. This meteorite formed far from the Sun, beyond Jupiter’s orbit. Earlier evidence, like a 2016 fragment and elevated levels of metals such as ruthenium in global debris, supports this.
The carbonaceous chondrite hypothesis reinforces the theory that a massive asteroid impact caused global climate disruption and mass extinction. Studies show this type of meteorite is rare today, making Chicxulub’s impact particularly unlucky and destructive.
Simulations suggest that these ancient meteorites could be occasionally knocked into the inner Solar System by planetary gravity shifts. This information helps scientists understand the movement of space rocks and their impacts on Earth. Future studies may clarify whether the Chicxulub impactor was not a comet but a carbonaceous chondrite, which is important for understanding its effects on the planet.