Glassy spherules from the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in Bąkowiec profile (Skole Nappe, Polish Outer Carpathians)

Mass extinction in the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, which took place about 66 mln years ago, is well known almost to everybody because of the extinction of the largest prehistorical reptiles, which have ever walked on the Earth- the dinosaurs. For scientists this event is important because of one of the cause, meteorite impact. Evidences of interference of extraterrestrial material are searched since this argument was ever made. The most desirable evidences, which can be find in the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediment are: iridium anomaly, shocked minerals and glassy spherules. Researches were made in Bąkowiec profile, situated in Skole Nappe of Outer Carpathians, in the area of the Łańcut city. Boundary interval was appointed there relying on biostratigraphy. Last occurance of Abathomphalus mayaroensis, which indicate late Maastrichtian and first occurance of Paleocene Guembelitria cratacea were taken under the consideration (Gasiński i Uchman, 2011). Glassy spherules, which was dissociated from the sediment, were divided into four types: carbonate, irony, silicate and apatite due to their chemical compound.