The first hint of the role of asteroids in extinction of the dinosaurs came from:
A)finding the huge crater in the Yucatan.
B)finding dinosaur fossils with meteorites imbedded in them.
C)finding a layer of worldwide iridium enriched dust.
D)finding that dinosaurs were warm-blooded and smart.
E)finding that no volcanic eruptions were linked to their disappearance.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of a worldwide layer of iridium enriched dust was the first hint of the role of asteroids in the extinction of dinosaurs. Iridium is a rare metal and is found in high concentrations in asteroids but is very rare on Earth. The layer of iridium enriched dust suggests that a large asteroid impact occurred, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs. The first hint of the role of asteroids in extinction of the dinosaurs came from finding a layer of worldwide iridium enriched dust, which is rare on Earth but abundant in asteroids and comets. This layer was discovered by Luis Alvarez and his team in 1980, which led to the hypothesis that an asteroid impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The First Hint of the Role of Asteroids in Extinction