The most famous and well-studied mass extinction occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period (65 million years ago), at which time the dinosaurs and a variety of other terrestrial and aquatic organisms went extinct. Recent findings have supported the hypothesis that this extinction event was triggered when a large asteroid slammed into Earth. Which of the following could cause a global mass extinction following an asteroid strike? (Check all that apply)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The impact could trigger global forest fires and create a massive dust cloud, both of which would obscure the sun, leading to a decrease in photosynthesis and a collapse of ecosystems.

The Most Famous and Well-Studied Mass Extinction Occurred at the End