66 million years ago, the dinosaurs and half of all other species on Earth became extinct. This massive mass extinction remained a mystery for a long time. That is, until the day an American geologist visited Stevns Klint and, in the cliff’s thin layers of Fiskeler, found evidence of a global catastrophe.
Stevns Klint Experience takes you on a journey through the stories hidden within the layers of Stevns Klint, which led to Stevns Klint being added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014.
Just over 66 million years ago, the Earth was characterised by intense volcanic activity in the region we now call India. So, with a giant asteroid heading towards Earth, our planet has long been subject to severe climate change.
At Stevns Klint Experience, you’ll gain an insight into what life was like in our part of the world before the impact. Back then, Stevns Klint didn’t even exist. Denmark and large parts of Northern Europe were covered by the Cretaceous Sea. Dinosaurs ruled the land, whilst sharks, giant mosasaurs, fish, ammonites, sea urchins and tiny algae lived in the sea.
The asteroid was around 10–50 km in diameter and struck the Earth with such tremendous force that over half of the wildlife on our blue planet was wiped out. On the Earth’s surface, virtually all predators had disappeared – bad news for the dinosaurs, but fortunate for us humans, as the mammals that had survived were no longer eaten every time they appeared. Life went on, flourished and evolved into the life we know today. At Stevns Klint, the traces of this global catastrophe can be seen at close quarters in the thin grey-brown layer known as the Fiskeleret.
The exhibition is structured around three main elements: the world before the impact, during the impact, and after. The local consequences at the impact site itself – Chicxulub in what is now Mexico – were devastating. Within a radius of 1,500–2,000 kilometres, everything was laid waste. After-effects such as shock waves and tsunamis took hold – and further distorted the Earth. Enormous quantities of dust were whipped up into the atmosphere, plunging the entire globe into complete darkness that lasted for several months. Very few plants and algae can survive such a period – and this also led to a mass extinction of herbivores, after which the predators likewise succumbed. Very small mammals survived the catastrophe. They were adept at adapting to new living conditions – and they were also fortunate survivors. That is why they form the foundation of the 6,000 species of mammals found on Earth today – and why Stevns Klint holds special significance for people all over the world.
