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Environmental effects of an impact-generated dust cloud - Implications for the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinctionsA model of the evolution and radiative effects of a debris cloud from a hypothesized impact event at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary suggests that the cloud could have reduced the amount of light at the earth's surface below that required for photosynthesis for several months and, for a somewhat shorter interval, even below that needed for many animals to see. For 6 months to 1 year, the surface would cool; the oceans could cool only a few degrees Celsius at most, but the continents might cool a maximum of 40 Kelvin. Extinctions in the ocean may have been caused primarily by the temporary cessation of photosynthesis, but those on land may have been primarily induced by a combination of lowered temperatures and reduced light.
Document ID
19830037598
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Pollack, J. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Toon, O. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ackerman, T. P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Mckay, C. P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Space Science Div., Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Turco, R. P.
(R & D Associates Marina del Ray, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 21, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 219
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Accession Number
83A18816
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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