66 million years ago, a ~6-mile-wide asteroid slammed into the Yucatán at ~40,000 mph, releasing energy comparable to billions of atomic bombs. The immediate blast and heat were followed by a global “impact winter” as dust and soot blocked sunlight for months to years, collapsing photosynthesis and crashing food chains—wiping out ~75% of species, including all non-avian dinosaurs. A stark reminder: a system stable for 150 million years can shatter in hours; sudden change isn’t sci‑fi—it’s history.
