The Younger dryas Impact
Below you’ll find introductory information on the Younger Dryas Impact, including comets, diamonds, mammoths, the mysterious “black mat”, and more.
The Younger dryas Impact
Below you’ll find introductory information on the Younger Dryas Impact, including comets, diamonds, mammoths, the mysterious “black mat”, and more.
THREE PUZZLING ICE AGE MYSTERIES
THREE PUZZLING ICE AGE MYSTERIES
All three of these major events occurred about 12,800 years ago.
All three of these major events occurred about 12,800 years ago.
All three of these major events occurred about 12,800 years ago.
SUDDEN RETURN OF ICE AGE TEMPERATURES 12,800 YEARS AGO
Temperatures plunged 10°C (18°F) and stayed low for about 1400 years. That abrupt change is called the Younger Dryas (YD) climate episode.It is the most unusual cooling event in about 2 million years.
EXTINCTION OF LARGE ANIMALS, CALLED "MEGAFAUNA"
Tens of millions of large animals went extinct within a short time. Mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed tigers disappeared.
SUDDEN, MAJOR CHANGE IN THE CLOVIS CULTURE
The use of distinctive Clovis spear points suddenly stopped. Human population levels plunged by about 30 to 60%.
SUDDEN RETURN OF ICE AGE TEMPERATURES 12,800 YEARS AGO
Temperatures plunged 10°C (18°F) and stayed low for about 1400 years. That abrupt change is called the Younger Dryas (YD) climate episode.It is the most unusual cooling event in about 2 million years.
SUDDEN RETURN OF ICE AGE TEMPERATURES 12,800 YEARS AGO
Temperatures plunged 10°C (18°F) and stayed low for about 1400 years. That abrupt change is called the Younger Dryas (YD) climate episode.It is the most unusual cooling event in about 2 million years.
SUDDEN RETURN OF ICE AGE TEMPERATURES 12,800 YEARS AGO
Temperatures plunged 10°C (18°F) and stayed low for about 1400 years. That abrupt change is called the Younger Dryas (YD) climate episode.It is the most unusual cooling event in about 2 million years.
EXTINCTION OF LARGE ANIMALS, CALLED "MEGAFAUNA"
Tens of millions of large animals went extinct within a short time. Mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed tigers disappeared.
EXTINCTION OF LARGE ANIMALS, CALLED "MEGAFAUNA"
Tens of millions of large animals went extinct within a short time. Mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed tigers disappeared.
EXTINCTION OF LARGE ANIMALS, CALLED "MEGAFAUNA"
Tens of millions of large animals went extinct within a short time. Mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed tigers disappeared.
SUDDEN, MAJOR CHANGE IN THE CLOVIS CULTURE
The use of distinctive Clovis spear points suddenly stopped. Human population levels plunged by about 30 to 60%.
SUDDEN, MAJOR CHANGE IN THE CLOVIS CULTURE
The use of distinctive Clovis spear points suddenly stopped. Human population levels plunged by about 30 to 60%.
SUDDEN, MAJOR CHANGE IN THE CLOVIS CULTURE
The use of distinctive Clovis spear points suddenly stopped. Human population levels plunged by about 30 to 60%.
Can that really be coincidental?
Can that really be coincidental?
HAS IT HAPPENED BEFORE?
Yes! 66 million years ago, a giant asteroid or comet hit Mexico.
Yes! 66 million years ago, a giant asteroid or comet hit Mexico.
Yes! 66 million years ago, a giant asteroid or comet hit Mexico.
Just as 12,800 years ago, that impact:
Just as 12,800 years ago, that impact:
caused massive extinctions (dinosaurs)
caused massive extinctions (dinosaurs)
caused massive extinctions (dinosaurs)
caused massive extinctions (dinosaurs)
created tons of melted spherules and glass
created tons of melted spherules and glass
created tons of melted spherules and glass
created tons of melted spherules and glass
loaded the atmosphere with soot and dust
loaded the atmosphere with soot and dust
loaded the atmosphere with soot and dust
loaded the atmosphere with soot and dust
radically changed the climate
radically changed the climate
radically changed the climate
radically changed the climate
THE YOUNGER DRYAS IMPACT
THE YOUNGER DRYAS IMPACT
So what exactly happened 12,800 years ago?
So what exactly happened 12,800 years ago?
So what exactly happened 12,800 years ago?
Details
About 12,800 years ago, a giant broken-up comet: caused airbursts or craters across Northern Hemisphere. Deposited melted material in the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) layer. Melted parts of huge northern ice sheets covering Canada and Europe. Halted circulation of massive amounts of ocean water in North Atlantic. Triggered 1,100-year-long climatic cooling, called the Younger Dryas. Contributed to the extinction of millions of large animals (megafauna). Caused a major decline in human population levels of approx. 50%
Details
About 12,800 years ago, a giant broken-up comet: caused airbursts or craters across Northern Hemisphere. Deposited melted material in the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) layer. Melted parts of huge northern ice sheets covering Canada and Europe. Halted circulation of massive amounts of ocean water in North Atlantic. Triggered 1,100-year-long climatic cooling, called the Younger Dryas. Contributed to the extinction of millions of large animals (megafauna). Caused a major decline in human population levels of approx. 50%
Details
About 12,800 years ago, a giant broken-up comet: caused airbursts or craters across Northern Hemisphere. Deposited melted material in the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) layer. Melted parts of huge northern ice sheets covering Canada and Europe. Halted circulation of massive amounts of ocean water in North Atlantic. Triggered 1,100-year-long climatic cooling, called the Younger Dryas. Contributed to the extinction of millions of large animals (megafauna). Caused a major decline in human population levels of approx. 50%
Evidence
The following impact materials reach major peaks in the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) layer: Magnetic, iron-rich spherules. Glassy, silica-rich spherules. High-temperature meltglass. Nanodiamonds. Soot (aciniform carbon). Fullerenes containing helium-3
Evidence
The following impact materials reach major peaks in the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) layer: Magnetic, iron-rich spherules. Glassy, silica-rich spherules. High-temperature meltglass. Nanodiamonds. Soot (aciniform carbon). Fullerenes containing helium-3
Evidence
The following impact materials reach major peaks in the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) layer: Magnetic, iron-rich spherules. Glassy, silica-rich spherules. High-temperature meltglass. Nanodiamonds. Soot (aciniform carbon). Fullerenes containing helium-3
Extent of Evidence
Millions of tons of material, melted at high temperatures: Is at more than 36 known sites. Is at every site currently investigated. Is spread across 16 countries on 4 continents. Ranges from offshore California to the Middle East. Has no geographical limit to the extent of distribution. Covers 20-25% of the N. Hemisphere (map on next slide). Dates to approximately 12,800 years ago at the start of YD cooling.
Extent of Evidence
Millions of tons of material, melted at high temperatures: Is at more than 36 known sites. Is at every site currently investigated. Is spread across 16 countries on 4 continents. Ranges from offshore California to the Middle East. Has no geographical limit to the extent of distribution. Covers 20-25% of the N. Hemisphere (map on next slide). Dates to approximately 12,800 years ago at the start of YD cooling.
Extent of Evidence
Millions of tons of material, melted at high temperatures: Is at more than 36 known sites. Is at every site currently investigated. Is spread across 16 countries on 4 continents. Ranges from offshore California to the Middle East. Has no geographical limit to the extent of distribution. Covers 20-25% of the N. Hemisphere (map on next slide). Dates to approximately 12,800 years ago at the start of YD cooling.
Younger Dryas Impact Overview
Younger Dryas Impact Overview
This following collection of 9 PDFs provides a comprehensive introduction to our work and the Younger Dryas Impact for the layman interested in learning more. Please select a section of interest and click to open.
