Microscopic meteorites found in Scotland have shed light on a catastrophic event that dramatically altered the Earth's surface nearly 500 million years ago.
Recent studies in Sweden have revealed that a massive collision in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter resulted in thousands of meteorites landing on Earth.
Studies by experts from the University of Aberdeen have uncovered tiny remnants of meteorites, smaller than a grain of sand, within rocks exposed along the shore near Durness.
The experts believe the rocks can be tied to this event.
The find has confirmed previous scientific speculation that this meteor shower was so big it affected locations across the planet.
The study, led by Professor John Parnell from the School of Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen, has also shown that the meteorites falling to Earth may have caused large earthquakes and tidal waves.
The research, published in Nature Geoscience this month, has revealed large blocks of rock tumbled down slopes from shallow to deep water in China, the Yukon, Australia and Norway.
Pieces of rock the size of a football stadium also slid down hillsides in Korea, Argentina and the English Lake District.
These findings will help scientists investigate if there is a connection between the meteorites falling and the diversification of underwater species that took place around this period.
Professor Parnell said: 'We tested the piece of rock in Durness by dissolving the limestone in acid, which allowed us to detect meteorites smaller than can be seen by the naked eye.
'This confirmed that 470 million years ago these enormous meteorites fell in a wide span across the globe.
'This is the first time we have been able to prove the mammoth scale of the event and just how many geographical locations felt its impact.
'Our research has also pinpointed that the meteorites falling caused earthquakes and tidal waves to take place at the edge of many continents.
'Records show that the underwater life that existed on Earth at this time became a lot more diverse directly after this major event.
'Any connection between these occurrences is not clear, but our findings will help us to investigate and potentially pinpoint how it happened.'
