Asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs is believed to be made of this material
Recent research has provided new insights into the asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago, triggering the mass extinction that led to the end of the dinosaurs. Scientists have now identified the impact as a carbon-rich “C-type” asteroid, a type of space rock that likely originated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. By examining ruthenium isotopes found in the global debris layer left behind by the impact at the Chicxulub impact crater, researchers have determined that the asteroid’s composition is different from Earth’s natural materials. Understanding the asteroid’s constituents is also expected to help researchers learn more about similar future asteroid impacts.
Ruthenium analysis points to asteroid origin
The research team, including Mario Fischer-Gödde of the University of Cologne, focused specifically on ruthenium because of its scarcity in the Earth’s crust, making it an excellent marker for extraterrestrial material. By analyzing samples from sites in Denmark, Italy, and Spain, the team found a consistent isotopic composition that matches that of carbonaceous asteroids.
This discovery is important because it refutes other theories that suggested the impact could have been a comet or that volcanic eruptions, such as the Deccan Traps, were responsible for the presence of rare metals such as ruthenium in the debris layer. The uniformity of the isotopic composition at different geographic locations strengthens the argument for the extraterrestrial origin of the asteroid.
Asteroid Belt or Oort Cloud: The Likely Source
The study suggests that the asteroid most likely came from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. A collision between two asteroids in this belt could have sent a fragment into a trajectory that eventually led to it colliding with Earth.
However, the possibility that the asteroid originated from the more distant Oort Cloud, a region that surrounds the solar system, is not entirely ruled out. This uncertainty leaves room for further exploration and research to better understand the origins of such catastrophic events.
Impact on our understanding of Earth’s history
Dr Craig Walton from the University of Cambridge was not directly involved in the research, told The Guardian on the significance of this research for furthering our understanding of the history of the Earth. While there are still unanswered questions about the exact origins of the asteroid, the study provides crucial insights into the nature of the celestial bodies that have played a dramatic role in shaping the planet’s evolutionary path.
These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how such events have influenced the development of life on Earth, and provide new perspectives on our planet’s vulnerability to cosmic influences.
