Finding the Crater

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.