Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

A 790,000 Year-Old Asteroid Impact Could Explain Seafloor Spherules


Researchers recently collected 850 millimeter-sized spherules from the seafloor near Papua New Guinea. They believed they were caused by an interstellar bolide that struck the atmosphere in 2014. Most were terrestrial in origin or resembled typical iron or chondritic meteoroids, but a small ratio was unusual. In a new paper, scientists propose that these spherules are similar to debris found in a vast region caused by an impactor that hit Earth 788,000 years ago.

None

Get the Android app

Or read this on Universe Today

Read more on:

Photo of old asteroid impact

old asteroid impact

Photo of Year

Year

Photo of seafloor spherules

seafloor spherules

Related news:

News photo

A Mission To Find 10 Million Near Earth Asteroids Every Year

News photo

And the Winner is.... Astronomy Photographers of the Year 2024 Announced

News photo

The Sun Has Reached Its Solar Maximum and it Could Last for One Year