The Asteroid Didn't Just Kill the Dinosaurs!

The asteroid impact theory undoubtedly represents one of the most exciting and provocative contemporaneous scientific working hypothesis in the Earth Sciences. As originally postulated by the Alvarez group (Alvarez et al, 1980) and later developed by Alvarez (1987) this theory invokes the collision of a large asteroid with Earth at the end of the Cretaceous System causing a mass extinction of biota, including the dinosaurs. The original theory is twofold: First, implies the impact of a 10 km asteroid with Earth at the end of the Cretaceous System (65 mya), which is blamed for the iridium enrichment in the K/T layer at Gubbio, Italy; and second, the asteroid impact is considered to be the killing mechanism of biota resulting in a simultaneous mass extinction at the K/T boundary.

The asteroid impact theory has stimulated scientific developments that range from astrophysics to paleontology, this is mainly due to the fact that whereas there is concrete evidence of a major extraterrestrial impact in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, the Chicxulub crater, the theory has remind controversial in terms of its real role as the extinction mechanism of biota; furthermore, the direct control of the asteroid in the extinction of biota remains controversial.

During his presentation, Professor Longoria will present original data from his studies of several impact sites in Mexico which argue in favor of the physical evidence of an impact crater, but he also will present augments against the idea of a single mass extinction of biota at the K/T boundary.

About Dr. Longoria

Dr. Longoria is a Professor at the Florida International University. A renowned researcher, he has studied mass extinction events around the world. He is a recognized expert on remote sensing, natural hazards, and the geology of Mexico.

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