Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (66 million years ago)

The Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction, sparked by the Chicxulub asteroid impact, ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs and wiped out 76% of all species. It plunged the planet into years of nuclear winter that collapsed food chains globally, making it 24% less destructive than the Permian-Triassic Extinction in overall species loss. Despite ranking #2, its 66-million-year impact crater is 25% larger than any known volcanic trigger, showcasing its unique force.