Scientists Reveal Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid May Have Caused Intense Firestorms
A new study suggests that the asteroid impact 66 million years ago, which created the Chicxulub crater in Mexico, may have caused widespread firestorms that were lethal to dinosaurs. The research, led by Brandon Johnson from Purdue University, indicates that a thick layer of fine silicate dust, formed from rock vapor, acted as an insulating blanket, intensifying the heat on Earth's surface. This heat pulse was estimated to be 3.5 times more intense than previous models suggested, potentially killing off many species within hours. The study also found that the thermal radiation exceeded ignition thresholds for vegetation, leading to large-scale fires.