Dinosaur Extinction
The end of the Age of Dinosaurs
The K-T Extinction Event
About 66 million years ago, a catastrophic event led to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs.
What Happened?
The most widely accepted theory is that a massive asteroid, about 10 kilometers wide, struck Earth near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
The Impact
- Created a crater over 150 kilometers wide
- Triggered massive tsunamis and earthquakes
- Released enormous amounts of dust and debris into the atmosphere
- Blocked sunlight for months or years
- Caused global temperature changes
- Disrupted food chains worldwide
Survivors
While non-avian dinosaurs went extinct, some groups survived:
- Birds (descendants of theropod dinosaurs)
- Crocodiles and alligators
- Turtles and tortoises
- Small mammals
- Many marine organisms
Legacy
The extinction of dinosaurs paved the way for mammals to become the dominant land animals, eventually leading to the evolution of humans.