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Siderophile-enriched sediments from the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary

Abstract

Siderophilic element concentrations are high in sediments from the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary. An extraterrestrial source is indicated. Concentrations are too high to be understood in terms of the impact of a chondritic asteroid. Either the projectile was a metal-sulphide core or the infailing material (probably weak cometary matter) was slowed down during atmospheric passage.

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Kyte, F., Zhou, Z. & Wasson, J. Siderophile-enriched sediments from the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary. Nature 288, 651–656 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/288651a0

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