What is believed to have caused the mass extinction at the end of the Mesozoic Era?

The mass extinction event at the end of the Mesozoic Era, particularly the event that wiped out the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago, is widely believed to have been caused by a combination of a large meteorite impact and extensive volcanic eruptions. The impact of a meteorite, specifically the one that created the Chicxulub crater in present-day Mexico, is thought to have released enormous amounts of energy, resulting in drastic environmental changes. This event would have led to a "nuclear winter" effect, where dust and debris blocked sunlight, leading to a collapse of ecosystems.

Additionally, the Deccan Traps, a large volcanic province in India, experienced extensive volcanic activity around the same time. These eruptions would have contributed further to environmental stress by releasing significant volumes of gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing acid rain and climate change, which further destabilized habitats.

Combining these two significant factors—an impactful meteorite and severe volcanic eruptions—created an environment inhospitable to many species, leading to one of the most significant mass extinction events in Earth's history. This understanding is rooted in geological evidence and paleontological data, making the choice associated with both a meteorite impact and volcanic activity the