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| The KT-boundary Impact |
 | | Debris from the explosion was thrown into the atmosphere, severely altering the climate, and leading to the extinction of roughly 3/4 of species that existed at that time, including the dinosaurs. |
 | | During the impact, the kinetic energy in the asteroid (or energy of motion) is converted to explosive energy, blowing debris of dust, soil, and rocks not only into the atmosphere, but out into space, where it fell back into the top of the atmosphere. |
 | | Impacts big enough to wipe out many species occur only every 100 My or so, so it is unlikely that we or even our great-great-grandchildren will see one. |
| www.psi.edu /projects/ktimpact/ktimpact.html (2145 words) |
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