Finding the Crater

Image from the activity

Topic

Resource Type

Level

Middle/Junior HighHigh School — General
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
19 Users

Description

This activity supports concepts covered in the film The Day the Mesozoic Died. Students will analyze geological evidence from 10 different sites around the world to predict the location of the asteroid impact that caused the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period.

This hands-on activity requires students to “visit” different K–T boundary sites, evaluate the evidence at each site, find these sites on a map, and predict where the crater is located. It tests a diverse set of skills, including mapping, mathematical scaling, and interpretation of mixed visual, graphic, and textual evidence.

Student Learning Targets

  • Interpret stratigraphic diagrams to identify the different types of rocks and deposits found in rock layers.

  • Plot longitude and latitude on a world map.

  • Make claims based on geological evidence.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

breccia, ejecta, foraminifera, iridium, nickel-rich spinels, shocked quartz, spherule, stratigraphic diagram, tektite

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Other file types meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published
Date Updated

NGSS (2013)

HS-ESS1-6; SEP4

AP Biology (2019)

SYI-2.C; SP3, SP4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP1

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
Educator standing in front of a heat map.
/
1-Minute Tips

Finding the Crater

Bernice O'Brien describes how she uses the "Finding the Crater" activity to allow her students to build scientific claims from real-world evidence.
Close Modal

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About the K-Pg Extinction

Showing of
Screen shot from the quiz
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Cross-section of the Earth
Lessons
Chemical Signatures of Asteroid Impacts
Image from the activity
Lessons
Distribution of Elements in Earth’s Crust
Computer image of the meteor hitting the earth from the activity
Lessons
Calculating Iridium Fallout From an Asteroid Impact
Screenshot of CGI dinosaurs reacting to the asteroid strike
Film Activities
Activity for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Photo of a finger pointing to the K-T layer
Lessons
Following the Trail of Evidence
Computer illustration of the asteroid that struck Earth
Lessons
Determining the Size and Energy of the K-T Asteroid
Image of a prehistoric mammal taken from the film.
Film Activities
Activity for Out of the Ashes
Lessons
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: On Land
Title screen of the film
Short Films
The Day the Mesozoic Died
Image from the activity
Card Activities
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: In the Ocean
Computer generated image of an early mammal
Short Films
Out of the Ashes: Dawn of the Age of Mammals

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Cross-section of the Earth
Lessons
Chemical Signatures of Asteroid Impacts
Computer image of the meteor hitting the earth from the activity
Lessons
Calculating Iridium Fallout From an Asteroid Impact
Computer illustration of the asteroid that struck Earth
Lessons
Determining the Size and Energy of the K-T Asteroid
Image from the film of Wegener with a sled dog
Animated Shorts
Animated Life: Pangea
Image of John Shea simulating stratigraphy
Clips
Stratigraphic Principles
Image from the activity
Lessons
Distribution of Elements in Earth’s Crust
Image from the activity
Phenomenal Images
Written in Chalk
A map from the Wallace line activity.
Lessons
Discovering the Wallace Line
Overlapping globes, the icon of EarthViewer
Click & Learn
EarthViewer
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
The Making of Mass Extinctions

This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

Showing of
Teaching Geological and Evolutionary Processes Using Mass Extinctions
6 Resources
By: BioInteractive