Science

Asteroid warning: From boiling alive to ruptured ears – scientist reveals horror of strike


An asteroid as strong as 100 trillion tonnes of TNT is believed to be responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, causing many to be incinerated, boiled alive and killed by flying chunks of molten rock. The asteroid is believed to have collided with the Earth, causing devastating destruction and wiping out the dinosaurs, over 66 million years ago. The explosion, equal to 100 trillion tonnes of explosives and a billion times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, annihilated 75 percent of all animal species and decimated 70 percent of the Earth’s forests.

The asteroid struck the Yucatan Peninsula in eastern Mexico, leaving behind a crater 100 miles wide and 20 miles deep.

Analysis of the crater’s rim by a team led by marine geophysicist Sean Gulick, reported in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has provided further details of the deadly asteroid collision.

Expert Jonathan Mayo outlined a terrifying timeline of events, describing the horrifying consequences of the asteroids impact, in the Mail.

He also revealed if the asteroid had hit just a few minutes later, the dinosaurs and forests could have been saved – as the burning rock could have plunged into deeper water, absorbing much of the force.

Asteroid news

An asteroid is believed to be responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs (Image: Getty)

Asteroid dinosaurs

The explosion annihilated 75 percent of all animal specie (Image: Getty)

The dinosaurs had roamed Earth for 180 million years, living in a tropical climate abundant with life, the animals were surrounded by forests, seas and miles of land.

But one asteroid, travelling at 45,000 miles an hour, brought an end to the era of the dinosaurs as the impact of the crash obliterated almost everything in its path.

The blast sent molten material into the atmosphere at speeds of more than 100,000 miles an hour, causing temperatures to rise to more than 300C in areas close to the impact, Mr Mayo explained.

This would have caused many dinosaurs to boil alive, as water within the animals skin starts to boil, then burst into steam.

Asteroid news

Small pellets punctured the wings of flying predators, causing them to tumble to the ground (Image: Getty)

Other animals would have been incinerated instantly, as much of the asteroid’s destructive power is thrown forward.

The impact then reached the sea, causing a colossal tsunami that devastates thousands of sea creatures.

Large pieces of rock ejected from the explosion began to fall back towards Earth at sped, causing wildfires and further devastation on impact.

Molten rock was flung through the air, forming into small glass “bullets” known as tektites as it cools.

Dinosaurs

Animals that avoided the shower of rocks were hit by seismic waves (Image: Getty)

These small pellets punctured the wings of flying predators, causing them to tumble to the ground.

Some red-hot tektites avoided airborne creatures, hurtling into Tyrannosauras rexes and other large mammals trapped on the ground, smashing their skulls and burning holes in their skin.

Animals that avoided the shower of rocks were hit by seismic waves radiating through the core of the planet, causing the dinosaurs to tumble.

As the impact of the asteroid spreads the ground begins to rise and fall, crushing and burying hundreds of creatures.

Asteroid

The asteroid struck the Yucatan Peninsula in eastern Mexico (Image: Getty)

Those dinosaurs that survived the initial impact of the asteroid were hit by a defining sonic boom, rupturing their ears, several hours after the blast.

Landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and electrical storms then destroyed much of the remaining landmass – wiping out the vast majority of vegetation.

The months that followed were cold and dark, as soot and dust block light from the Sun.

Wildlife continued to perish until the sun’s light and warmth returns, enabling the remaining plants and animals to evolve.



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