What is the likely connection between the metal iridium and the demise of Earth's dinosaur population?
A) Iridium, which is found in abundance on Earth's surface, is poisonous to reptiles.
B) Iridium is found beneath Earth's crust. Meteor impacts during the dinosaur age probably exposed and uncovered enough of it to poison the dinosaurs.
C) Iridium is found in meteorites but is rare on Earth. The existence of a worldwide layer of it suggests a large meteor impact during the dinosaur age. The impact probably raised enough dust to block out sunlight and kill the dinosaurs.
D) Iridium is highly radioactive. Its presence in a geologic layer dating to the dinosaur age suggests that natural radioactivity reached dangerous levels at that time, and the dinosaurs died from overexposure.
Correct Answer:
Verified
Q183: An impact that took place at about
Q184: On the basis of the recent interpretation
Q185: Rocks laid down at around the time
Q186: A stony meteorite would NOT show evidence
Q187: What is the origin of iron meteorites?
A)
Q189: The Allende meteorite contained an abundance of
Q190: What has been discovered in some meteorites
Q191: A meteorite that recently fell to Earth
Q192: The Chicxulub Crater, believed by many scientists
Q193: Fullerenes ("buckeyballs") are spherical molecules composed exclusively
Unlock this Answer For Free Now!
View this answer and more for free by performing one of the following actions
Scan the QR code to install the App and get 2 free unlocks
Unlock quizzes for free by uploading documents