Cosmic particles (micrometeorites) and nanospheres from the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/T) boundary clay layer at the Stevns Klint Section, Denmark

A significant discovery of extraterrestrial metallic particles and nanospheres in the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/T) boundary clay layer at Stevns Klint, Denmark, suggests that the asteroid impact 65 million years ago was accompanied by a substantial fall of finely dispersed cosmic matter. These particles, including iron, copper, Fe-Ni, Fe-Ni-Co, and Fe-Cr alloys, as well as magnetite and aluminosilicate balls, imply an intense supply of micrometeorites or asteroid fragments during the event. The findings challenge previous reconstructions by highlighting the need to account for this vast amount of cosmic dust in understanding the boundary events.

Korchagin, O. A., & Tsel’movich, V. A. (2011). Cosmic particles (micrometeorites) and nanospheres from the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/T) boundary clay layer at the Stevns Klint Section, Denmark. Doklady Earth Sciences, 437(2), 449–454. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1028334x11040039