description Chicxulub Overview
The Chicxulub crater is a massive impact structure located beneath the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It’s notable as the geological evidence for the asteroid that caused the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, wiping out approximately 76% of plant and animal life on Earth. Scientists study it to understand catastrophic impacts and their effects on planetary environments. Paleontologists and geologists are primary users of this site's data.
help Chicxulub FAQ
Where is the Chicxulub crater located?
The Chicxulub crater is a massive impact structure buried beneath the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Its center is located offshore near the town of Chicxulub, for which the crater is named.
How big was the asteroid that created the Chicxulub crater?
The asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago is estimated to have been about 10 kilometers (6 miles) in diameter. The impact created a crater roughly 150 kilometers (93 miles) wide.
Did the Chicxulub impact kill the dinosaurs?
The Chicxulub impact is widely accepted as the primary cause of the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs. The impact triggered massive tsunamis, global wildfires, and a 'nuclear winter' effect that blocked out the sun.
Who discovered the Chicxulub crater?
The crater was discovered in the late 1970s by geophysicists Antonio Camargo and Glen Penfield, who were initially searching for oil. The connection to the dinosaur extinction was established in the early 1990s by a team led by Alan Hildebrand.
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