(Q019) Which of the following was important in determining the cause of the K-Pg (Cretaceous-Paleogene) extinction?Group of answer choicesglass spheres in K-Pg boundary rocksiridium in K-Pg boundary clayshocked quarts in K-Pg boundary clayall of the possible answers are correct
Question
(Q019) Which of the following was important in determining the cause of the K-Pg (Cretaceous-Paleogene) extinction?Group of answer choicesglass spheres in K-Pg boundary rocksiridium in K-Pg boundary clayshocked quarts in K-Pg boundary clayall of the possible answers are correct
Solution
All of the possible answers are correct.
The K-Pg (Cretaceous-Paleogene) extinction, which occurred approximately 66 million years ago and led to the extinction of the dinosaurs, is believed to have been caused by a large asteroid or comet impact.
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Glass spheres in K-Pg boundary rocks: These are known as tektites and are formed when a meteorite hits the Earth, causing the ground to melt and then solidify into glass. Their presence in the K-Pg boundary rocks supports the impact theory.
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Iridium in K-Pg boundary clays: Iridium is rare in the Earth's crust but is more common in asteroids and comets. A high concentration of iridium in the K-Pg boundary clays suggests that a large extraterrestrial object hit the Earth.
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Shocked quartz in K-Pg boundary clay: Shocked quartz is a form of quartz that has a microscopic structure different from normal quartz due to intense pressure. It is only formed by extreme events, such as a meteorite impact or nuclear explosion. The presence of shocked quartz in the K-Pg boundary clay also supports the impact theory.
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
What does the KT boundary represent? Group of answer choicesThe end of the cretaceous period the beginning of the cenozoic eraThe end of the carboniferous period and the beginning of the permianThe end of the cenozoic era and the beginning of the mesozoicThe end of the mesozoic and the beginning of the paleozoic era
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
(Q012) The Paleozoic Era ended with a mass extinction event that was likely caused byGroup of answer choicesthe formation of Pangaea.intense volcanic activity.the formation of high-latitude ice sheets.the evolution of land plants.
The K-T extinction event was characterized by - among other things - a high sulfur content in the atmosphere. This originated from A. emissions of the Deccan Traps B. volatilization of the S-bearing asteroid C. volatilization of the S-bearing impacted rocks
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