New research suggests that a comet explosion over North America may have caused enormous destruction nearly 13,000 years ago. This event likely led to the extinction of mammoths and mastodons and wiped out one of the oldest human cultures on the continent. Scientists have found evidence of intense heat and pressure, including shocked quartz, buried in ancient layers of sediment.
A study published in PLOS One supports the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis. This theory proposes that a fragmented comet exploded in the atmosphere, igniting fires and causing a rapid drop in global temperatures. It may have also led to the sudden disappearance of the Clovis culture, known for its unique stone tools.
Led by geologist James Kennett from UC Santa Barbara, the research team examined three key sites: Murray Springs (Arizona), Blackwater Draw (New Mexico), and Arlington Canyon (California). Their investigations revealed a mix of debris pointing to a swift and catastrophic event.
Across these sites, scientists discovered a peculiar dark layer called the “black mat.” This layer, rich in carbon, dates to the onset of the Younger Dryas period when temperatures dropped dramatically after a period of warming. The study notes that this layer contains materials formed by high-energy explosions, including nanodiamonds, small metal pieces, and melted rocks.
What stood out to researchers was the shocked quartz—tiny sand grains altered under extreme pressure. Using advanced microscopes, they identified unusual melted patterns within the grains. This ruled out natural causes like volcanic activity or human-made fires. The only explanation that fits is a massive airburst, likely from a comet explosion.
You might expect such a dramatic event to leave a crater. However, there isn’t one. The researchers explain that the comet likely exploded mid-air, creating a fireball without striking the ground. This is similar to the Tunguska event in Siberia in 1908 but on a much larger scale.
To investigate further, the team ran computer models simulating how various airbursts could create the shock patterns seen in the quartz samples. The results aligned well with their findings.
Immediately following this explosion, two significant events occurred: many of North America’s large Ice Age animals disappeared, and the Clovis people seemingly vanished from the historical record. The study suggests that the explosion triggered wildfires, filling the atmosphere with dust and smoke. Sunlight was blocked, temperatures dropped again, and food sources dwindled.
The Clovis culture, once widespread, left no trace after this event. Their tools just stopped appearing, coinciding with the extinction of mammoths, mastodons, and other massive creatures that roamed the land for thousands of years.
This growing body of evidence—shocked quartz, black mats, and impact debris, alongside the sudden decline of species and cultures—supports the idea of a cataclysmic cosmic event. As Kennett put it, when the comet exploded, “all hell broke loose.”
Interestingly, recent surveys show that many people are unaware of this potential historical event. A poll conducted by the National Science Foundation found that only 30% of Americans have heard of the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis. This lack of awareness highlights the importance of continued education and research in understanding our planet’s past.
For those interested in diving deeper into this research, the original study can be found here: PLOS One Study.
