Mass Extinction

The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event 66 million years ago did not only kill non-avian dinosaurs — it eliminated approximately 75% of all species on Earth, including many marine reptiles (mosasaurs, plesiosaurs), flying pterosaurs, ammonites, and countless plant and invertebrate species. Survivors included small mammals, birds, crocodilians, turtles, snakes, and frogs — groups that could shelter underground, burrow, or tolerate the sudden darkness and cold.

About 66 million years ago, an asteroid roughly 10 kilometres wide struck the Yucatán Peninsula in present-day Mexico at the Chicxulub crater site. Travelling at around 72,000 km/h, it released energy equivalent to billions of atomic bombs, triggering wildfires, a years-long nuclear winter, and the extinction of about 75% of all species — including all non-avian dinosaurs.

Throughout its history, Earth has undergone periods where a significant portion of its species disappeared rapidly. These events were caused by factors like asteroid impacts, massive volcanic activity, and abrupt climate shifts.