Chapter 29, Problem 17RQ

What evidence supports the meteorite impact at the end of the cretaceous?

To determine

The evidence that supports the meteorite impact at the end of the cretaceous.

Answer to Problem 17RQ

The evidence that supports the meteorite impact at the end of the cretaceous is the existence of layer of iridium-enriched sediment.

Explanation of Solution

At the end of the Cretaceous period, which was approximately 65 million years ago, the mass extinction of Earth’s species took place. The hypothesis is that the reason for this extinction is the collision of a massive meteorite with the Earth. The evidence that supports this hypothesis is found in the rock records. A layer of iridium-enriched sediment was deposited on the surface of Earth. This element is rarely found at the Earth’s surface but is abundant in meteorites. So, the layer of iridium marks that the boundary between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods is hypothesized to have been spread over worldwide, due to the impact of a meteorite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the evidence that supports the meteorite impact at the end of the cretaceous is the existence of layer of iridium-enriched sediment.