Chxculub Impact Case Study

Science 1.16 Internal Assessment Task 2018

The Chixculub Impact

By Georgia MacLeod 11BZR Stage 1: Origins Of The Chixculub Impactor

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) defines an asteroid as “A relatively small, inactive, rocky body orbiting the Sun.” {1} These objects are understood to have been left over pieces from the formation of our solar system. Because of this hardly any asteroids have been left in any remotely spherical shape and the majority are cratered and lumpy in exterior. The vast majority of asteroids can be found orbiting the sun in what is called the asteroid belt, which is situated in the space between Mars and Jupiter.{2}

Just like planets, asteroids each have their own orbital path. Asteroids with

He states that new images have revealed that the meteorite landed in water deeper than what was previously believed. This means the release of 6.5 times more water vapor was released into the atmosphere than what we originally thought. The water vapor would have reacted with what are called evaporites which are essentially sediments that are incredible bountiful of sulfur. The effects of this would have been deadly.

This reaction would have caused the production of sulfate aerosols.{8} The sulfate aerosols that were in the upper atmosphere would’ve cooled down the climate. The reaction is also likely to have cause acid rain because of a lack of sulfate aerosols in the lower atmosphere caused by the water vapor. Many of the effects of the Chixculub impact did not occur immediately but instead occurred over time and lasted sometimes