Built From the Crater Up – Site Museums in Geosciences Communication and Outreach

Abstract. What is the role of site museums and geological sites in geosciences communication, education and outreach? Natural history and site museums contribute to learning, outreach and educational programs, with geological sites in National Parks, GeoParks and UNESCO heritage sites attracting large numbers of visitors, as well as scholars and students. Here, we examine the role and potential of science museums in relation to the Chicxulub impact and the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary mass extinction. The impact ranks among major single events shaping Earth’s history, triggering global climatic change and wiping out ~ 76 % of species. The crater, with a ~ 200 km rim diameter, is the best preserved of the three large terrestrial multi-ring impact structures, being a natural laboratory for investigating impact dynamics, crater formation and planetary evolution. The crater and impact deposits are not exposed at the surface, being covered by carbonate sediments after its formation, which presents a challenge for outreach and educational programs. The Chicxulub center and museum have a core mission to serve as a hub for multi-disciplinary research on the impact, planetary sciences, climate change and life evolution, as well as educational, outreach and science communication programs. It fulfills a recognized task for dissemination and communication of geosciences. After decades of studies, Chicxulub impact remains under intense scrutiny and the new facilities built inside the crater, play a major role in expanding those efforts.