The consequences of the Chixulub meteorite impact in the Yucatan, beyond the immediate devastating effects of the gigantic tsunami on North America, included the dispersion of enormous quantities of sulfur-rich dust (originating from the Yucatan Peninsula). The resulting long winter decimated the world’s forests, the widespread spread of ferns, and ocean acidification, resulting in the collapse of marine ecosystems lasting several million years. On land, every animal larger than a cat disappeared, including all non-avian dinosaurs. But even birds and mammals were nearly wiped out. Ammonites, which had been on the planet for time immemorial, disappeared completely.
