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The End of Dinosaurs

The Impact Theory

Has there been any evidence of a recent killer asteroid?

Yes, scientists believe they have found evidence of a more recent killer asteroid. This huge rock smashed into southeastern Argentina about 3.3 million years ago, possibly killing off 36 species of animals because of the local climate change. Neither the asteroid itself nor a crater was found, but glassy fragments (called escoria) were dug up from the soil. These fragments indicate intense heating that could only have come from a space object striking Earth.

Unlike the asteroid that supposedly struck at the end of the Cretaceous period, the Argentina hit did not affect the global climate. But the strike apparently did change the local climate, cooling down the temperatures. This killed off many animals in the region, including giant armadillos, ground sloths, and a large-beaked carnivorous bird.



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