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Why can the iridium sediment layer be used as evidence to support the main theory about the extinction of the dinosaurs?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
High concentrations of iridium appears in a layer called the K-T boundary which corresponds to the time of the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Iridium is a metal that is rare on earth but common on many bodies in outer space such as asteroids. It is believed that an asteroid collided with earth 65.5 million years ago, setting in motion events that would cause a mass extinction, spreading a layer of iridum in the process.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIridium is extremely rare in the Earth's crust as it has a chemical affinity for Iron (it is a siderophile) and so during planetary accretion and the formation of Earth, the majority of the Earth's Iridium ended up in Earth's core. However there there are Iridium rich layers of sediment all over the world, all of the same age (marking the K-T boundary or Cretaceous - Tertiary boundary approximately 65.5 million years ago).
These layers have roughly 30 to 160 times the normal background amount of Iridium and it is hypothesised by some scientists that this higher than normal level of Iridium is due to an asteroid impact with Earth (as asteroids and meteorites have much higher concentrations of Iridium than that found in Earth's crust). It is thought that this impact created a large dust cloud which caused global cooling as the dust blocked the suns radiation. This in turn is thought to have contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
This is known as the "Alverez" hypothesis and was named after the team who originally conducted the research. Further investigation has suggested that the impact event may have formed the Chicxulub Crater on the coast of Yucatan, Mexico.
Please see the related links for more information.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt is not common on earth, but is common in meteorites.
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Is iridium poisonous?
yes, this has been found in rocks from 65 million years ago, so this is evidence for the extinction of dinosaurs and if the dinosaurs became extinct from it, it is bound to be dangerous because it killed them. it made a mass extinction, so yes iridium is dangerous.
What is the K-T boundary?
The KT Boundary (also called the Cretaceous-Paleogene, or K-Pg boundary) is a boundary marking the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction (KT extinction) event. It is usually seen as a thin band, caused by an asteroid impact that wiped out much of life at the time.
What is the importance of iridium metal?
Well, it is extremely corrosion resistant (resistant to all acids, including aqua regia), and basically is only broken down by molten salts (NaCl, NaCN, etc). It is also possibly the densest element known (Ir and Os are controversial due to lattice structures). Most interesting fact is that it is quite a rare element on earth, but very abundant in asteroids and meteors. The "Ir Spike" at the K-T boundary is evidence that a meteor collision with earth is what cause the dinosaurs (and many other species) to become extinct. Hope this helps.
How do you change a lightning arrester to iridium?
You cannot. Iridium is a very rare and expensive metal. You could not afford a lightning arrester made of iridium.
Chemical compound of iridium III chloride hexahydrate?
The chemical compound of iridium III chloride hexahydrate is IrCl3 * 6H2O. Iridium(III) chloride is an extremely rare inorganic compound.
Element traced to the extinction of the dinosaurs?
The KT boundary has a spike in Iridium concentrations.
Why do Scientists think a Asteroid hit the world 65 million years killed the dinos?
The main evidence is a layer of iridium that is found worldwide. Iridium is an element that is rare on Earth's surface, but is common in asteroids. The iridium layer dates to 65.5 million years ago, and coincides with the extinction of the dinosaurs. Also, geologists have discovered the Chixculub crater, a crater that is buried by sediment but is so large it could only have been created by an asteroid 6 miles across.
What did Walter alvarez do afer he found the iridium?
After finding Iridium, now he got enough evidence for his theory. That Iridium was from the asteroid that impacted the Earth and caused dinosaurs to perish.
What rare element caused an ancient health crisis?
Iridium is the rare element that is said to have caused an ancient health crisis (extinction of the dinosaurs).
Why is the extinction of the dinosaurs attributed to an asteroid impact?
The original observation was that in the fossil records there is a layer with high levels of iridium and osmium at the time of dinosaur extinction. Iridium and osmium are common is asteroids. For the layer to be all over the globe it must have been a major strike which would have caused global wide climate change causing a mass extinction.
The rare element iridium has been implicated in which ancient health crisis?
The rare element irdium has been implicated in the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
Is iridium poisonous?
yes, this has been found in rocks from 65 million years ago, so this is evidence for the extinction of dinosaurs and if the dinosaurs became extinct from it, it is bound to be dangerous because it killed them. it made a mass extinction, so yes iridium is dangerous.
Which geological time boundary marked the extinction of dinosaurs?
Non-avian dinosaurs went extinct at the very end of the Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period, around 65.5 million years ago, in a proposed extinction event called the "K-T event", or "K-Pg event" (in more modern scientific parlance) . The specific geological marker of this event is the "K-T boundary", which is usually a thin band of sediment famous for being rich in iridium, which many believe was deposited there during a massive meteorite impact that initiated the K-T event and directly or indirectly caused the extinction of many animal species, including all of the non-avian dinosaurs.
What is K-T boundary?
The distinct line in sediment that marks the impact of a giant meteorite that caused mass extinction on Earth about 65 million years ago. It is characterized by an unusually high concentration of Iridium.
What are 3 pieces of evidence that supports why dinosaurs became extinct due to a comet?
There is strong evidence that an extraterrestrial object impacted near the Yucatan peninsula. There is also evidence that a boundary layer was formed that is rich in iridium. The most plausible origin of this iridium is an extraterrestrial impact. Below that layer, dinosaur bones are present and above that zone there are none. If I had to bet, I'd bet that the comet killed them by the effects of the impact.
What proof is there of an asteroid impact around the time that dinosaurs became existant?
Oh, they've found the crater. It's off Yucatan. The previous evidence was the Iridium layer right at the K-T horizon. Iridium is rare on Earth, but somewhat more common in asteroids.
What are three pieces of evidence used to support the theory that dinosaurs became extinct as a result of a comet impact about 65 million years ago?
1. There is an iridium layer that is 65.5 million years old and coincides with the extinction of the dinosaurs. Iridium is rare on Earth's surface, but is common in asteroids. However, it would have taken an immense asteroid to deliver enough iridium to Earth that it would be common in a layer that covered the entire world. 2. Satellite imaging revealed a round crater at the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The crater was 112 miles across. 3. There is evidence of a megatsunami that would have been caused by the impact, because the asteroid crashed in the ocean. This evidence is 65.5 million year old marine sediments that were dragged far inland by the megastunami. Also, terrestrial rocks and debris that were carried out by the tsunami have been found far into what was then the sea.
