What event is believed to have contributed to the mass extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago?

1 answer

The mass extinction of the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago is widely believed to have been triggered by a combination of catastrophic events, the most notable being a massive asteroid impact. This event is associated with the Chicxulub crater located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The impact would have caused widespread fires, tsunamis, and a "nuclear winter" effect, severely disrupting the climate and ecosystems. Additionally, significant volcanic activity, particularly the Deccan Traps in present-day India, may have contributed to the environmental changes that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species.