The day the dinosaurs died

The Edelman Fossil Park and Museum in New Jersey offers a unique, accessible window into the catastrophic asteroid impact that ended the Cretaceous period 66 million years ago. Paleontologist Ken Lacovara explains how this site, once a fertilizer quarry, preserves a rare "death assemblage" that reveals the immediate, violent consequences of the impact, including global temperature spikes and tsunamis. By inviting the public to excavate fossils, the museum fosters a tangible connection to Earth's history, encouraging visitors to grasp the concept of "deep time." This perspective highlights the precarious nature of human existence and our role in the ongoing sixth mass extinction. Ultimately, understanding these ancient, improbable events provides the necessary humility and urgency to address modern environmental crises, emphasizing that while the dinosaurs were helpless against cosmic accidents, humanity possesses the agency to protect the planet's future.