Extinction Bracelet - Death of the Dinosaurs
Extinction Bracelet - Death of the Dinosaurs
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This bracelet includes real fragments from the K-Pg boundary layer!
"Impact of a large earth-crossing asteroid would inject about 60 times the object's mass into the atmosphere as pulverized rock; a fraction of this dust would stay in the stratosphere for several years and be distributed worldwide. The resulting darkness would suppress photosynthesis, and the expected biological consequences match quite closely the extinctions observed in the paleontological record."
~ Dr. Luis Alvarez and Dr. Walter Alvarez, "Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction." Science 208.4448 (1980)
The large-scale geological event known as the End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction had a profound influence on life on our planet. Three-quarters of all life on Earth perished during this time, from marine invertebrates like the ammonites to the large avian and marine reptiles which had held their dominant place for so long, and of course the dinosaurs. In a geological instant, hundreds of non-avian dinosaur species, the product of more than 175,000,000 years of evolution, completely disappeared from the Earth.
Above:Ā Artist's reconstruction of Chicxulub crater soon after impact, 66 million years ago. (Source: Detlev Van Ravenswaay, Science Magazine "Drilling of dinosaur-killing impact crater explains buried circular hills.")
Of the leading causes,Ā the Chicxulub Asteroid Impact (c. 66 million years ago) provides a dramatic exclamation point to the end of the Mesozoic. At a minimum, the Chicxulub impactor was 6 miles (9.6km) in diameter, and the energy released likely exceeded more than 100 million megatons.
Above:Ā Top: Shaded relief image of the northwest corner of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula generated from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, and shows a subtle, but unmistakable, indication of the Chicxulub impact crater. Bottom: Same area viewed by the Landsat satellite, and was made by displaying the Thematic Mapper's Band 7 (mid-infrared), Band 4 (near-infrared) and Band 2 (green) as red, green and blue. (Source: NASA 2003)
Evidence of massive fires and mega-tsunamis traced to this event have been found in many areas of the world, as well as a fine layer of the element Iridium which is known today as the K-Pg Boundary Layer. The discovery of this global layer and the eventual hypothesis is credited to Nobel Laureate Dr. Luis Alvarez and his son Dr. Walter Alvarez.
Above: Luis (left) and Walter Alvarez at the K-Pg Boundary in Gubbio, Italy 1981. Source: Lawrence Berkeley Lab Archives
Created here at Mini Museum, this bracelet includes a custom sterling silver beadĀ resembling a small asteroid. We've carefully embedded K-Pg Boundary Layer samples from North American deposits into theĀ largest recess with high-grade, clear epoxy.Ā Additional dark crevasses provideĀ contrastĀ for the asteroid surface design and reflect the hand-polishing each bead undergoes.
Above: K-Pg Boundary Material from North American deposits. This material also featured in the Age of Dinosaurs collection.
Above: Extinction Bracelet Sterling Silver K-Pg Boundary beads in process.Ā
The remainder of the bracelet is comprised of polished,Ā black obsidian beadsĀ for a refined look that is beautiful solo but pairs well with our Asteroid Belt Bracelet or other treasures you may already own.
Above: Just hanging out on a Triceratops horn, as you do.
The full bracelet measures 7" in length (~17.5cm) though it will stretch a bit further. If you need a larger or smaller size, please let us know. We can make a custom version just for you. As pictured below, the bracelet works well for men and women.
Above: The 7" size stacked with lava rocks. Note: Neanderthal man (aka Jamie) not included.
Above: Stephanie models the 7" size.
As pictured below, the bracelet comes in a gray gift box with a small information card that provides background on the material and serves as the certificate of authenticity.
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Above: When you have a 3D printer and you really love dinosaurs.š¦ā¤ļø
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Above: Back of the specimen card.
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Also known as: K-Pg,K/Pg,K/T,KT, KPG Boundary Layer Material