Sixty-six million years ago, a colossal asteroid comparable in size to Mount Everest set its course on a path of destruction toward Earth. The resulting collision proved catastrophic, leading to the extinction of the largest and most formidable reptilian creatures that had ever roamed our planet. However, the demise of the dinosaurs was not instantaneous; instead, they confronted a gradual and excruciating death.
What led to the occurrence of the Earth’s most massive tsunami resulting from this extinction event? Furthermore, what unfolded in the aftermath of the extinction once the prominent reptilian species ceased to exist?
The enormity of the asteroid that brought about the extinction of dinosaurs is nothing short of terrifying. With a diameter of approximately 10 kilometres, it possessed an incredible velocity, hurtling through space at speeds ranging from 10 to 30 kilometres per second. As it descended toward Earth, it transformed into a blazing fireball, illuminating the skies with its intense heat. The air in its path compressed, resulting in unimaginably scorching temperatures. In the moments leading up to impact, the asteroid’s surface temperature could have rivalled the Sun’s.
In a matter of mere seconds upon entering our atmosphere, this colossal space rock made its impact on Earth’s surface, forever changing the course of life. The asteroid collided with Earth near the present-day coast of Mexico, ejecting vast quantities of debris high into the atmosphere. The devastating shockwave obliterated all life, signalling the beginning of an even grimmer chapter. Indeed, 66 million years ago, Earth was facing extraordinarily challenging circumstances.
A tremendous explosion forcefully propelled fragments of the Earth’s crust high into the atmosphere. Shortly after that, searing pieces of glass and rock fell from the sky. A portion of the scattered debris interacted with the surrounding air, resulting in the formation of acid rain that endured for several years.
The land blazed with an inferno. The fires, ignited by a catastrophic event, rapidly engulfed the entire continent, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Life succumbed mercilessly to the advancing flames. And just as one believed the apocalyptic scene couldn’t escalate any further, it defied all expectations and intensified beyond imagination.
The asteroid’s collision with Earth exerted an immense force that reverberated throughout the planet, unleashing powerful shock waves. The surplus energy resulting from this event sought an outlet, forming a colossal mega-tsunami. Spanning a towering height of over 10 meters, an enormous wall of water surged across the ocean. This wasn’t an ordinary tsunami; its magnitude surpassed anything witnessed today by an astonishing thirty thousand-fold.
The coastal regions found themselves utterly defenceless as the colossal surge surged through the North Atlantic and South Pacific expanses. The wave crashed upon them with an indomitable might, obliterating everything in its path and altering the very contours of the continent. Survival would have been impossible if you had witnessed this cataclysmic devastation. Yet, amidst the chaos, a few resilient dinosaurs managed to endure.
Those who resided beyond the vicinity of Ground Zero were spared from immediate destruction caused by the devastating impact. They managed to evade the engulfing infernos and escape the clutches of the colossal tsunami. However, their destiny remained sealed. As the dust gradually settled, the onset of a nuclear winter ensued. Although the cause wasn’t atomic weaponry, the outcome mirrored its catastrophic effects.
For an extended period, possibly spanning months or even years, the atmosphere was saturated with an immense volume of debris, effectively obstructing the sunlight. Consequently, Earth rapidly transformed into a frigid and dim environment, catching the dinosaurs off guard. The abrupt drop in temperatures, combined with the substantial release of greenhouse gases from raging fires, led to a drastic alteration in the climate. Regrettably, the plants faced insurmountable challenges in conducting photosynthesis, resulting in the widespread demise of most plant life.
The food chain was thrown into disarray, resulting in the starvation of numerous surviving animals. Additionally, the prolonged presence of acid rain inflicted further devastation upon ecosystems, persisting for several years. The acidity of the oceans escalated to a level unsuitable for marine life, leaving little opportunity for most oceanic species to adjust to such a sudden and extreme transformation. The combined effects of these prolonged and harsh circumstances, coupled with the initial impact, resulted in the extinction of approximately 75% of life on Earth. Encouragingly, this included the terrifying T-Rex.
After the final breath of the dinosaurs escaped their ancient lungs, Earth transformed into a desolate wasteland—void of life and plagued by coldness and acidity. However, the return to normalcy was a notion left unfulfilled. The Earth did not embark on a process of restoration; instead, it embarked on a journey of self-reinvention, forging a new path far removed from the era of the dinosaurs.
A millennium had passed, and the planet slowly emerged from its post-apocalyptic winter, striving to heal. Though the cold persisted and resources remained scarce, the conditions were becoming favourable for the resurgence of life. With vigour, several small furry creatures dashed about within this revitalized and untamed realm. The initial signs of regeneration witnessed the return of ferns, which thrived remarkably in the aftermath of the cataclysmic event.
Earth underwent a remarkable transformation a hundred thousand years later, buzzing with increased vitality. Small creatures resembling raccoons started to reclaim the continents, while the oceans flourished with a resurgence of diverse life forms. Zooming ahead by approximately ten million years, Earth had successfully rejuvenated its biodiversity. However, this was no longer the Earth of yore; it had evolved into the epoch of mammals.
Indeed, following the departure of dinosaurs, mammals took center stage with remarkable vigour. However, this fiery display was purely symbolic, not to be taken literally. Mammals, alongside birds and flowering plants, embarked on a captivating era that transformed the face of our planet. Earth, forever altered, never reverted to its former state. It required millions of years for our world to rebound in a new and unprecedented manner following the extinction of the last dinosaur.
However, let me clarify, this world remained undeniably terrifying. It harboured creatures such as Paraceratherium freely traversing the land, while megalodons instilled fear in the depths of the oceans. Undoubtedly, it is fortunate that most of these creatures no longer exist today. One wouldn’t wish to encounter a Meg while enjoying a leisurely swim in the vast expanse of the ocean.