Skip to main content

Stevns Klint, Denmark

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Coastal World Heritage Sites

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 28))

  • 1474 Accesses

Abstract

Stevns Klint is an exceptional testimony to the impact of meteorite in Earth. The site provides evidence of the Chicxulub meteorite impact that took place at the end of the Cretaceous Period and caused the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs. Comparative analysis indicates this is the most significant and readily accessible site to see the sedimentary record of the ash cloud formed by the meteorite impact, the actual site of the impact being deep underwater offshore the Yucatan Peninsula. The site is very significant in terms of its past, present, and future contribution to science, especially pertaining to the definition of and explanation of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary. The outstanding fossil record at Stevns Klint provides a succession of three biotic assemblages including the most diverse end-Cretaceous marine ecosystem known.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alvarez LW, Alvarez W, Asaro F, Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous–Palaeogene extinction. Science 208:1095–1108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conpenhagen Portal. http://copenhagenet.dk/. Accessed 28 Mar 2016

  • Damholt F, Surlyk F (2012) Nomination of Stevns Klint for inclusion in the world heritage list. Østsjællands Museum, St. Heddinge

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart MB, Fitzpatrick MEJ, Smart CW (2016) The Cretaceous/Paleocene boundary: foraminifera, sea grasses, sea level change and sequence stratigraphy. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 441:420–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) (2017) Stevns Klint conservation outlook. http://www.worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/explore-sites/wdpaid/555577556. Accessed 17 Dec 2017

  • Korchagin O, Tsel’movich V (2011) Cosmic particles (micrometeorites) and nanospheres from the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/T) boundary clay layer at the Stevns Klint Section, Denmark. Dokl Earth Sci 437(2):449–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lykke-Andersen H, Surlyk F (2004) The Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary at Stevns Klint, Denmark: inversion tectonics or sea-floor topography? J Geol Soc 161:343–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miami University (2015) Geo 121 Wiki Spring 2015. https://sites.google.com/a/miamioh.edu/geo-121-wiki-spring-2015/home/europe-stevns-klint-team6. Accessed 28 Mar 2016

  • Osipova E, Shadie P, Zwahlen C, Osti M, Shi Y, Kormos C, Bertzky B, Murai M, Van Merm R, Badman T (2017) IUCN world heritage outlook 2: a conservation assessment of all natural world heritage sites. IUCN, Gland

    Google Scholar 

  • Schack SA, Damholt T (2012) Cliff collapse at Stevns Klint, Southeast Denmark. Geol Surv Den Greenl Bull 26:33–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Surlyk F, Damholt T, Bjerager M (2006) Stevns Klint, Denmark: uppermost Maastrichtian chalk, cretaceous-tertiary boundary, and lower Danian bryozoan mound complex. Bull Geol Soc Den 54:1–48

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO WHC (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Centre) (2016) Stevns Klint. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1416. Accessed 28 Mar 2016

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature B.V.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Claudino-Sales, V. (2019). Stevns Klint, Denmark. In: Coastal World Heritage Sites. Coastal Research Library, vol 28. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1528-5_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics