It is believed that the extinction of the dinosaurs was due to a large asteroid impact. In this article, we will explore whether humans could survive a similar event.
Dinosaurs were the most dominant species on Earth for millions of years, but like many other species that once ruled our planet, their reign ended with the mass extinction event at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, which caused the extinction of most dinosaur species on the planet.
The exact reasons for their demise and the extinction event in general remain shrouded in mystery. However, countless studies and a wealth of evidence suggest that an asteroid impact is the most likely cause.
This collision not only wiped out most dinosaur species but also led to the extinction of creatures such as pterosaurs, ammonites, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs.
Nevertheless, some other organisms, including insects, mammals, fish, and corals, survived this event and continued to evolve in incredibly complex ways.
Today, humans are the most advanced dominant species on the planet, much like the dinosaurs of the past. And perhaps, at some point in the distant future, humans will face extinction.
With this in mind, it is interesting to pose the question: “If the extinction of the dinosaurs occurred due to an asteroid impact, could humans survive a similar event?”
The short answer is yes, humans could very likely survive a catastrophic event of this nature. Of course, there would be billions of deaths, but this may not lead to the extinction of the human species.
To begin explaining this assumption, let’s delve into the impact of the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
The K-Pg Asteroid Impact Event
The K-Pg asteroid impact event is one of the greatest disasters in Earth’s history, leading to the extinction of dinosaurs along with many other organisms. Evidence suggests that the site of this impact is the Chicxulub crater, located in the center of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. This site is believed to have endured a strike from an asteroid estimated to be between 10 and 15 kilometers in diameter, creating a crater up to 150 kilometers wide due to the extremely powerful force of impact.
Scientists have determined that the timing of the extinction event precisely coincides with the age of the Chicxulub crater, indicating a strong link between the asteroid impact and the mass extinction that occurred around 66 million years ago. To validate this hypothesis, researchers have employed statistical analysis methods to study fossils and date them. The results indicated that mammals, including the distant ancestors of humans, coexisted with dinosaurs for a period before they went extinct.
These findings have illuminated the evolutionary process of mammal species following the K-Pg event. After the dinosaurs disappeared, mammal species evolved and diversified rapidly, marking the beginning of a new era for the development of mammals, including humans.
The K-Pg event caused the extinction of most dinosaur species on the planet.
The Likelihood of Future Asteroid Impacts
While the probability of large asteroid impacts on Earth is extremely rare, it cannot be entirely ruled out. Estimates suggest that the likelihood of a collision capable of causing a mass extinction is once in a hundred million years. The larger the impact, the rarer it is, but the existence of large asteroids in space still poses a potential threat.
Scientists have been continuously monitoring near-Earth asteroids that could pose a danger. One of the primary missions assigned to the WISE/NEOWISE spacecraft is to seek out and track space objects that might collide with Earth. WISE stands for Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, while NEO stands for Near-Earth Objects. The mission of this spacecraft is to determine which asteroids or comets could impact Earth in the near future.
The NEOWISE spacecraft.
Could Humans Survive an Asteroid Impact?
Previously, many believed that humans would almost certainly survive an asteroid impact similar to the K-Pg event, but studies have shown that an asteroid with a diameter of about 100 kilometers (approximately ten times larger than the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs) could threaten most life on Earth. Without proper preparation, humanity could face the risk of extinction.
Nevertheless, modern humans have advanced significantly in technology, and we have the capability to monitor and predict potential asteroid impacts. If a collision is identified as imminent, humans could take measures to avert disaster by deflecting or destroying the asteroid, or even exploring ways to migrate humanity to another planet.
One proposed plan is to establish self-sustaining habitats on the Moon or Mars, where humans and animals could survive under harsh conditions. Additionally, building survival shelters on Earth is another solution, although it faces numerous challenges concerning sustainability and long-term living conditions.
Other ideas include deflecting or destroying the incoming asteroid. While it is possible to destroy smaller asteroids with existing technology, this becomes exceedingly difficult with larger asteroids. In such cases, altering the asteroid’s trajectory may be a more viable approach, but it requires careful preparation and advanced technology.
An asteroid with a diameter of 100 kilometers could threaten most life on Earth.
No matter how well-prepared we are, the chance of surviving an extinction event caused by an asteroid impact remains uncertain. However, if humans execute the proposed plans and measures correctly, the chances of overcoming this disaster will be significantly higher.
The K-Pg asteroid impact event has imparted a crucial lesson for humanity about the threats from space and the necessity to prepare for similar disasters in the future. With current technology and ongoing advancements in research, we can hope that we will always be proactive in protecting Earth from the threat of extinction due to asteroid impacts. But to achieve that, we must maintain vigilance and continually strive in research, detection, and preparation for all possible scenarios.
