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Asteroid rock layers reveal how the dinosaurs died

Dinosaurs - Level 4

Scientists have more details of how the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago. The scientists analyzed rocks in a crater under the seabed off Mexico. The rocks were created from the disastrous impact of a huge asteroid hitting Earth. The rocks' layers show a step-by-step account of what happened after the impact. A scientist said: "It tells us what went on inside the crater on that day of doom that killed the dinosaurs. All of this...is recorded in the [rock]."

The asteroid was up to four kilometers wide. It created a crater 160kms wide and 20kms deep. This started a chain reaction of earthquakes, tsunami, landslides and fires that changed Earth's geology forever. It also killed off the dinosaurs. Molten rock fell into the crater, which was then filled with ocean water. This water was full of soil, vegetation and other debris. It took a few hours to settle in the layers scientists are now analyzing millions of years later.

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Dinosaurs - Level 5

Scientists have unearthed details of how the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago. Geophysicists are analyzing rock formations in a crater under the seabed off Mexico. The rocks were created from the cataclysmic impact of a gigantic asteroid hitting Earth. Scientists say the rock layers reveal a step-by-step account of the destruction that happened after the impact. Rocks and sediment settled on top of each other in revealing layers. A geophysicist said: "It tells us what went on inside the crater on that day of doom that killed the dinosaurs. All of this mayhem is recorded in the core."

Scientists say the asteroid was up to four kilometers wide. It smashed into the ocean and created a hole 160kms wide and 20kms deep. This started a chain reaction of earthquakes, tsunami, landslides and fires that forever changed the geology of Earth. It also killed off the dinosaurs. The asteroid's impact hurled out rocks and created a huge crater. Molten rock fell back into the crater, which was then filled with ocean water. This water was full of soil, vegetation, animal life and other debris. It took a few hours to settle in layers ready for scientists to analyze millions of years later.

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Dinosaurs - Level 6

Scientists say they have unearthed details of how the dinosaurs were wiped out 65 million years ago. A team of geophysicists is analyzing rock formations in a crater under the seabed off Mexico. The rocks contain the remnants of the cataclysmic aftermath of a gigantic asteroid impacting with Earth. The scientists say the layers of rock they have extracted reveal a step-by-step account of the destruction that happened after the impact as rock and sediment settled on top of each other in revealing layers. Geophysicist Jay Melosh from Purdue University said: "It tells us what went on inside the crater on that day of doom that killed the dinosaurs. All of this mayhem is directly recorded in the core."

Scientists say the asteroid was around three to four kilometers wide. It smashed into the ocean and created a hole 160kms wide and 20kms deep. This triggered a chain reaction of earthquakes, tsunami, icecap melting, landslides and fires that forever changed the geology and life forms on Earth, killing off the dinosaurs. The asteroid's impact hurled out rock and minerals and created a massive crater. Molten rock fell back into the crater, which was then filled with ocean water from tidal waves. This water was full of soil, vegetation, animal life and other debris, all of which settled in layers ready for scientists to analyze millions of years later. The scientists say this layer-forming process took just a few hours.

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