K-Pg boundary block

Like the pages of a book, the story of the demise of dinosaurs is written in this rock from Trinidad, Colorado. The bottom half of rock below the white line was deposited during the time of dinosaurs. The layers above it represent the age of mammals. The impact layer (whitish stripe) contains the ash from global wildfires that swept across the planet after a Denver-size meteorite blasted our planet by crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. This incredible moment displaced the dinosaurs, cleared out ecosystems, and opened up a world of opportunity for the evolution of new mammals!

James Hagadorn, PhD

Tim & Kathryn Ryan Curator of Geology

Kristen A. MacKenzie, MS

Earth Sciences Collections Manager

Nicole Neu-Yagle, MS

Earth Sciences Assistant Collections Manager

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