Geeta west
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have revealed that the colossal asteroid that ended the reign of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago wasn’t alone. A second, smaller asteroid struck the Earth around the same time, creating the Nadir crater off the coast of West Africa and potentially triggering catastrophic events, including an 800-meter high tsunami.
Dr. Uisdean Nicholson from Heriot-Watt University, who first identified the Nadir crater in 2022, has now confirmed that this 9-kilometer depression was caused by an asteroid smashing into the seabed. While scientists are still working to pinpoint the timing of this impact relative to the more famous Chicxulub asteroid that struck Mexico, both events occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period.
As the smaller asteroid hurtled toward Earth, it would have ignited a massive fireball—24 times the size of the Sun as seen from 50 kilometers away—setting forests ablaze and generating a deafening air blast, followed by seismic activity comparable to a magnitude 7 earthquake. The impact likely displaced huge amounts of water, leading to unique imprints on the ocean floor.
“This discovery is remarkable,” says Dr. Nicholson. “We’ve never had the chance to look inside an impact crater like this before.” Unlike many other craters, the Nadir crater is well-preserved, allowing scientists to analyze its geological layers in unprecedented detail.
With only 20 marine craters documented worldwide, the Nadir crater represents a unique opportunity to understand the dynamics of ancient impacts. The research team utilized high-resolution 3D data from geophysical company TGS to explore this significant find.
While it remains a mystery why two asteroids struck Earth in such close succession, this discovery sheds new light on the catastrophic events that shaped our planet’s history. Scientists continue to monitor potentially hazardous asteroids, including Bennu, which could pose a threat in the distant future, reminding us of the ongoing celestial dance above us.
As researchers dig deeper into the past, they uncover not just the story of the dinosaurs’ demise but the powerful forces that continue to shape our world.