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Letter KGeology glossary

K-T Boundary (Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary)

The K-T boundary, now referred to as the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, marks the transition between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods around 66 million years ago. It is associated with a mass extinction event that wiped out approximately 75% of Earth’s species, including the dinosaurs. The boundary is often identified by a layer of iridium-rich clay.

K-T-Boundary-Cretaceous–Paleogene-Boundary
Fig. 1 K-T-Boundary-Cretaceous–Paleogene-Boundary

Source Schulte, P., et al. (2010). “The Chicxulub Asteroid Impact and Mass Extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary.” Science, 327(5970), 1214-1218.

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