The crater measures between 180 and 240 kilometres across indicating an impactor of colossal size the biggest impact confirmed on earth. The chicxulub crater on the yucatan peninsula is believed to be the most likely site of the asteroid impact responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs. The idea was not always universally accepted.
7 that the chicxulub asteroid impact 65 million years ago led to mass extinction of dinosaurs. Astronomers announced more proof today feb. That s the premise of a new study examining what happened 66 million years ago after a 7 5 mile wide asteroid crashed into the ocean near what s now the port town of chicxulub mexico.
Some of the better known are chichen itza coba tulum and. There are many maya archaeological sites throughout the peninsula. The yucatán peninsula constitutes a significant proportion of the ancient maya lowlands although the maya culture extended south of the yucatán peninsula through present guatemala and into honduras and highland chiapas and was the center of the mayan civilization.
The buried structure which measures at least 180 km 112 miles across is thought to be the scar remaining from the impact 66 million years ago of an asteroid or comet measuring perhaps 10 km. Computer generated image of chicxulub crater chicxulub crater on the northern coast of the yucatán peninsula in mexico in a computer generated image synthesized from gravity and magnetic field data. This cataclysmic event that triggered a world wide tsunami and disrupted global climates has been linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs and up to 75 of all other life.
65 million years ago a massive asteroid crashed into mexico s yucatan peninsula a site now known as the chicxulub crater. The story behind this unusual territory dates back to a massive asteroid impact an event that many scientists believe triggered the extinction of the dinosaurs. Formed on a massive limestone platform and boasting hundreds of cenotes underwater sinkholes the peninsula is defined by some unique geological characteristics.
In minutes everything within hundreds of miles was incinerated. The asteroid gorged out a crater 120 miles wide in the yucatan peninsula in the gulf of mexico. While it s been generally.
Mexico s yucatan peninsula asteroid. The chicxulub crater ˈ tʃ iː k ʃ ʊ l uː b. Tʃʼikʃuluɓ is an impact crater buried underneath the yucatán peninsula in mexico. Its center is located offshore near the town of chicxulub after which the crater is named. It was formed when a large asteroid or comet about 11 to 81 kilometers 6 8 to 50 3 miles in diameter known as the chicxulub impactor struck the earth.
It was formed when a large asteroid or comet about 11 to 81 kilometers 6 8 to 50 3 miles in diameter known as the chicxulub impactor struck the earth. Its center is located offshore near the town of chicxulub after which the crater is named. Tʃʼikʃuluɓ is an impact crater buried underneath the yucatán peninsula in mexico.
The chicxulub crater ˈ tʃ iː k ʃ ʊ l uː b.