Chicxulub museum, geosciences in Mexico, outreach and science communication - Built from the crater up

Abstract

The Chicxulub science museum is special, in that it is built around an event in geological time representing a turning point in the planet's history and which brings together the Earth system components. Studies on the Chicxulub impact, mass extinction and Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary provide an engaging context for effective geoscience communication, outreach and education. The museum is part of a research complex in Yucatán Science and Technology Park in Mexico. Natural history museums with research components allow for the integration of up-to-date advances, expanding their usefulness and capabilities. The impact ranks among the major single events shaping Earth's history, triggering global climatic change and wiping out ~1/476% of species. The ~1/4200km Chicxulub crater is the best preserved of three large terrestrial multi-ring impact structures, being a natural laboratory for investigating impact dynamics, crater formation and planetary evolution. The initiative builds on the interest that this geological site has for visitors, scholars and students by developing wide-reaching projects, a collaboration network and academic activities. The Chicxulub complex serves as a hub for multi- and interdisciplinary projects on the Earth and planetary sciences, climate change and life evolution, fulfilling a recognized task for communication of geosciences. After decades of studies, the Chicxulub impact remains under intense scrutiny, and this programme with the core facilities built inside the crater will be a major player.