Chicxulub crater

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/chicxulub-crater

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the impact structure name?Chicxulub impact structure
2. What is the estimated impactor diameter?6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 kilometers)
3. How big was the asteroid that made the crater?The asteroid was about 6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 kilometers) wide, a size that released a tremendous amount of energy.
4. Why did the Chicxulub impact cause so many animals to die?The impact produced earthquakes, giant tsunamis, and a firestorm that darkened the sky and cooled the planet, making it hard for plants and animals to survive.

Transient Crater: The initial, deep, bowl-shaped cavity formed immediately after an impact event.
Impact Melt Sheet: Molten rock formed during an impact that cools and solidifies into a distinct geological layer.
Planetary Defense: The effort to detect, track, and potentially deflect asteroids or comets that could threaten Earth.