If a supernova in space had caused the massive extinction associated with the KT boundary, what clue would it leave behind? Group of answer choicesIridiumPlutonium 244Shocked quartzTektites
Question
If a supernova in space had caused the massive extinction associated with the KT boundary, what clue would it leave behind? Group of answer choicesIridiumPlutonium 244Shocked quartzTektites
Solution
If a supernova had caused the massive extinction associated with the KT boundary, it would leave behind Plutonium 244. This is because Plutonium 244 is a radioactive isotope that is produced in supernovae. Its half-life is 80 million years, which means it could still be detectable if a supernova had occurred around the time of the KT boundary.
Iridium, shocked quartz, and tektites are all associated with meteorite impacts, not supernovae. Iridium is a metal that is rare on Earth but common in meteorites. Shocked quartz is a form of quartz that has been subjected to extremely high pressures, such as those produced by a meteorite impact. Tektites are small, glassy objects that are also formed by the intense heat and pressure of a meteorite impact.
Similar Questions
Why is a change in the forams at the KT boundary significant? Group of answer choicesThey are sensitive to temperature changes, suggesting that the planet must have cooled significantlyThe depended heavily on the dinosaurs, suggesting the dinosaurs must have gone extinctThey are highly sensitive to radiation, suggesting a large meteorite must have hit the EarthThey were the base of the food chain, suggesting a massive worldwide extinction
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A nova or supernova Type 1A explosion can form from the last "bang" of a*1 pointred giantwhite dwarfblack dwarfneutron starred supegiant
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