Meteorite Impacts and Their Effects

What is the primary difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

Most meteorites land on land rather than in the ocean.

What are the holes left by meteorite impacts on Earth's surface called?

Scientists believe that a meteorite impact, approximately 65 million years ago, likely contributed to the extinction of the ______.

Match the following impact craters with their approximate ages:

Meteorite Impacts

Every day, Earth encounters fragments of rock and dust from asteroid collisions and comets
Earth's gravity attracts these objects
As they enter the atmosphere, they burn up, creating trails of light (meteors)
If a meteor is small, it's completely destroyed in the atmosphere. Larger meteors may not be entirely destroyed and reach the ground – these are called meteorites
Meteorites leave behind craters (also known as astroblemes)

Meteor vs. Meteorite

A meteor is a meteoroid that burns up in Earth's atmosphere
A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and reaches Earth's surface

Signs Of Meteorite Impacts

Meteorite impacts reshape terrain in various ways
Examples in Quebec include the Pingualuit and Manicouagan craters
Specific features like craters and depressions in the landscape can indicate past impacts
Many occurrences happen only every 1000 years or so.

Dinosaur Extinction and Meteorite Impacts

A large crater near Mexico's coast dates back 65 million years, coinciding with dinosaur extinction
Asteroid or comet impacts can trigger mass extinction events.
It is likely a meteorite or asteroid impact caused the dinosaur extinction.

Explore the fascinating world of meteorite impacts and their consequences on Earth. This quiz will cover the differences between meteors and meteorites, signs of past impacts, and notable examples like the Pingualuit and Manicouagan craters. Test your knowledge on how these celestial events have shaped our planet's landscape.