About 3.4 billion years ago, the same thing might’ve happened on Mars.
Fortunately, there were likely no alien dinosaurs around to worry about it.
The area is particularly interesting.
From the air, Chryse Planitia paints a striking picture.
There are clear outflow channels that’ve led scientists to suggest the region was once home to an ocean.
The Viking orbiters also imaged it from the air.
And by turbulent, we mean two “mega tsunamis.”
This asteroid would’ve smashed into the Martian surface through shallow waters, about 400 feet deep.
Such an impact would be remarkably similar to the Chicxulub impact that occurred on Earth 66 million years ago.
In that instance, the asteroid was believed to be about 6 miles wide.
It also slammed into a shallow ocean.
The most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested, the Tsar Bomba, released about 56 megatons.
you’re free to see why it would be a tough day for a Martian dinosaur.
