Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event

The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, about 66 million years ago, was a significant mass extinction that wiped out roughly 75% of Earth's species, including the dinosaurs. It was likely caused by a massive asteroid impact, creating a large crater and throwing dust and particles into the atmosphere, which blocked sunlight. This caused dramatic climate changes, disrupted ecosystems, and led to widespread species loss. The event marked the end of the Cretaceous Period and allowed mammals and other groups to diversify and become dominant in the subsequent Paleogene Period.