A scientist discovers a deep bowl-like divot under the ocean off the coast of eastern Mexico that is many kilometers across. The layers of the ground all around the continent from around the time that structure formed contain large amounts of iridium and a larger number of fossils than is normally found. What most likely caused the bowl-like structure?

The large bowl-shaped structure off eastern Mexico is consistent with a huge impact crater, and the iridium-rich layers and unusual fossil record point to a major impact event. A meteorite impact can create a crater and scatter iridium-rich material over a wide area. An iridium spike is evidence of the event, not what formed the bowl.

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