Where did scientists find proof of an earthquake after the dinosaur extinction impact?

Scientists found geological proof of a massive earthquake triggered by the dinosaur extinction asteroid impact across multiple sites in the Americas.

The most detailed evidence comes from Gorgonilla Island in Colombia, where sediment layers were warped and deformed deep beneath the seafloor, indicative of powerful shaking lasting weeks or months.

Gorgonilla Island: Crystal Clear Clues

Geologist Hermann Bermúdez discovered unique layers containing tiny glass beads called tektites. These glass particles formed when the asteroid moltenly vaporized Earth's surface and were later deposited on the ocean floor.

The sediments at Gorgonilla show severe deformation that could only occur from prolonged seismic activity. Because the site was deep underwater and unaffected by tsunamis, this distortion is a direct imprint of immense earthquake shaking.

Did you know?
Tektites, tiny glass beads formed by asteroid impacts, were found deeply embedded in sediments on Colombia’s Gorgonilla Island, marking the earthquake’s aftermath.

Evidence Spans Mexico and the Southern US

Similar signs show up across Mexico and U.S. states, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. Sediment layers in Mexico underwent liquefaction, where shaking turned soil temporarily into liquid.

In the southern U.S., researchers documented deep cracks and faults formed during violent shaking. Tsunami deposits in these regions confirm giant waves followed the impact.

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Unprecedented Scale of the Quake

This mega-earthquake released energy roughly 50,000 times stronger than the 2004 Sumatra event, generated by an asteroid delivering an estimated 10²³ joules of energy. The impact crater spans about 180 to 200 km in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Why This Discovery Matters

Understanding this ancient quake teaches scientists about Earth's seismic response to massive impacts. It improves future asteroid impact preparedness by revealing how long and far powerful quakes may extend beyond initial strikes.

Bermúdez’s work, supported by geological and scientific foundations, marks a breakthrough in paleoseismology, showing how a single cosmic event reshaped the planet’s geological and biological history.