The fifth major mass extinction

Just over 66 million years ago, the Earth was characterised by intense volcanic activity in the region we now call India. As a giant asteroid is heading towards Earth, our planet has therefore long been subject to drastic climate change.

The Cretaceous Period and the dinosaurs

The asteroid was around 10–17 km in diameter and struck the Earth with such tremendous force that over half of all species on our blue planet were wiped out. On the Earth’s surface, virtually all predators had disappeared – bad news for the dinosaurs, but fortunate for us humans. At that time, Stevns Klint did not exist at all. Denmark and large parts of Northern Europe were covered by the Cretaceous Sea. Here, sharks, giant mosasaurs, fish, ammonites, sea urchins and tiny algae thrived.

The world before the catastrophe

For millions of years, living conditions on Earth had been fairly stable. Large parts of the Earth’s landmass were covered by the sea, and dinosaurs ruled the land. But then something happened. Extensive volcanic activity began where India is today, and for thousands of years, violent volcanic eruptions spewed out enormous quantities of toxic gases. The volcanic gases caused climate change across the globe. Life on Earth was under immense pressure, and species began to go extinct at an alarmingly high rate. But it was soon to turn out to be much worse.

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. The impact itself was followed by a series of violent events, including earthquakes, shock waves and tsunamis. Enormous quantities of dust were whipped up into the atmosphere, plunging the entire globe into total darkness that lasted for several months. 

Research and World Heritage

Scientific research is a key element in the designation of a site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Research provides important insights into the World Heritage Site itself—why it was designated as such and how to preserve it for future generations.

Research Through the Centuries

Research has been conducted and articles written about Stevns Klint for more than 250 years. Ever since geologists and paleontologists presented the theory in 1980 that an asteroid impact was the primary cause of the mass extinction 66 million years ago, Stevns Klint has played a central role in research on mass extinctions. Scientific interest in Stevns Klint remains very high, and research is continuously being conducted by several Danish and international researchers.A Geological Reference Group is affiliated with the World Heritage efforts for Stevns Klint; this group contributes initiatives and developments related to geological conservation and research, thereby supporting broad engagement within both national and international research communities. The group consists of representatives from Danish research institutions actively conducting geological research at Stevns Klint.

New Research Projects

Researchers are very welcome at Stevns Klint. We’d love to hear from you if you have research projects related to the cliff.

Geological Sampling Requires a Permit

If you wish to collect geological samples at Stevns Klint, you must obtain a permit. You can apply for the permit by contacting Jesper Milàn, geologist and museum curator at the East Zealand Museum. He can also help you find a suitable location where you can collect samples.

If your research is in fields other than geology, we would also love to hear from you. Please contact the World Heritage Coordinator, Eva Waldorff.