One of life’s greatest illusions is the notion of continuity. Sixty-six million years ago, the dinosaurs had enjoyed a reign of 165 million years, thriving in a world that seemed unchanging. The Earth was warm, lush with forests, and teeming with diverse life forms, from towering trees to countless critters. Dinosaurs, in their myriad forms and sizes, dominated this paradise. From the gentle giants like Titanosaurs to the formidable Tyrannosaurus rex, these creatures roamed a world abundant with life.
Life for these feathered giants was stable, with days blending seamlessly into one another. However, this continuity was an illusion. If any dinosaurs had been stargazers, they might have noticed a new celestial body—a tiny dot in the sky that gradually grew larger and brighter. This was the harbinger of their doom, an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
As the asteroid approached, it became a second sun in the sky before disappearing into Earth’s shadow. When it reappeared, it was a massive object hurtling towards the Yucatan Peninsula at 60 times the speed of sound. The impact was cataclysmic, releasing energy equivalent to billions of nuclear weapons. The explosion vaporized the asteroid, creating a blinding flash and a massive crater. The thermal radiation incinerated everything within a 1,500 km radius, and the Earth’s crust flowed like liquid, forming a temporary mountain 10 km high.
The impact triggered a magnitude 11 earthquake, possibly the most powerful ever experienced. This seismic activity may have caused volcanic eruptions in India, covering the subcontinent with lava for 30,000 years. The shockwave, traveling at over 1,000 km/h, obliterated everything in its path. Tsunamis as high as 1 km surged across oceans, drowning coastlines thousands of kilometers away.
The worst was yet to come. Debris from the impact was ejected into space, some reaching the moon or Mars, but most fell back to Earth, heating the atmosphere to extreme temperatures. This heat, combined with falling debris, sparked global wildfires. As the fires raged, the planet was plunged into darkness, with ash and aerosols blocking sunlight. Photosynthesis halted, temperatures plummeted, and marine life suffered catastrophic losses.
As the dust settled, the world was unrecognizable. The continuity that had persisted for millions of years was shattered. The age of the dinosaurs was over, with 75% of Earth’s species wiped out. Yet, from this devastation, new life emerged. Birds, the direct descendants of dinosaurs, and mammals began to thrive, setting the stage for the rise of humans.
In contrast to the dinosaurs, humans are aware of the fragility of continuity. Despite our achievements, our future is not guaranteed. We must remain vigilant and hopeful, prepared for the unexpected. Our journey, if we are fortunate, will continue for a long time.
In the spirit of transparency, Kurzgesagt has evolved beyond a YouTube channel. We’ve embraced our roots in graphic design and expanded into a paper shop, offering calendars, posters, and notebooks. This venture is not just about merchandise; it’s about creating high-quality, beautiful products that make science exciting and accessible. Our shop has become our main source of income, allowing us to remain independent and keep our videos free for everyone.
We’re excited to continue this journey, creating more lasting products like our new dinosaur-themed notebook line, Pocket Log. We invite you to share your ideas for future products that can inspire and educate. Thank you for supporting us and enabling us to dedicate thousands of hours to creating engaging science content. We look forward to making more fun and educational materials for you, whether in video, poster, or another form.
Research the different periods of the Mesozoic Era and create a timeline that highlights the major events and types of dinosaurs that lived during each period. Use drawings, images, and descriptions to make your timeline informative and visually appealing.
Using materials like sand, flour, and small rocks, simulate the impact of an asteroid on Earth. Observe the crater formation and discuss how the impact would have affected the environment and life on Earth. Record your observations and share them with the class.
Imagine you are a dinosaur living just before the asteroid impact. Create a survival plan that includes strategies for finding food, shelter, and safety. Consider the challenges you would face and how you might overcome them. Present your plan to the class.
Write a short story from the perspective of a dinosaur or another creature that survived the asteroid impact. Describe the changes in the environment and how life adapted to the new conditions. Share your story with your classmates.
Research how birds are related to dinosaurs and create a presentation that explains their evolutionary connection. Include examples of modern birds and their dinosaur ancestors. Use images and diagrams to support your findings.
Asteroid – A small rocky body orbiting the sun, often found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. – Scientists study asteroids to learn more about the early solar system.
Impact – The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. – The impact of the meteorite created a large crater on Earth’s surface.
Dinosaurs – A group of reptiles that were the dominant terrestrial animals during the Mesozoic era. – Fossils help us understand how dinosaurs lived millions of years ago.
Extinction – The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct. – The extinction of the dinosaurs is believed to have been caused by a massive asteroid impact.
Photosynthesis – The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll. – Photosynthesis is essential for the survival of plants and the production of oxygen.
Species – A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. – The giant panda is a species that is native to China and is considered endangered.
Marine – Related to the sea; existing in or produced by the sea. – Coral reefs are important marine ecosystems that support a wide variety of life.
Wildfires – Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation, often in forested areas. – Wildfires can have devastating effects on wildlife and their habitats.
Earthquake – A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth’s crust. – The earthquake caused buildings to sway and people to seek safety outdoors.
Debris – Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed. – After the storm, debris from fallen trees and damaged buildings covered the streets.
