how did the Cretaceous-paleogene extinction event impact life on earth? in more details in one paragraph

Answer 1

The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, which occurred approximately 66 million years ago, was a pivotal moment in Earth's history that led to the abrupt demise of about 75% of all species, including the majority of dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and many plant species. This mass extinction is widely attributed to a combination of catastrophic events, most notably a massive asteroid impact near present-day Chicxulub, Mexico, which triggered intense fires, tsunamis, and a "nuclear winter" effect, leading to drastic climate changes and diminished sunlight. The resulting collapse of ecosystems obliterated dominant terrestrial and marine species, leading to a significant restructuring of biological communities. In the aftermath, the extinction of large predators and herbivores paved the way for the rise of mammals, whose diversification during the Paleogene period laid the groundwork for the complex ecosystems we see today. This loss of biodiversity and subsequent evolutionary recovery ultimately reshaped global biodiversity, creating an ecological landscape that favored the evolution of birds and mammals over millions of years.