The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, occurring around 66 million years ago, marks a significant event in Earth's history when approximately 75% of species, including the dinosaurs, went extinct. This mass extinction is widely believed to have been caused by a combination of catastrophic events, including a massive asteroid impact near the present-day Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and extensive volcanic activity in the Deccan Traps of India. The aftermath of the extinction led to dramatic changes in ecosystems, allowing mammals and birds to diversify and thrive in the absence of dinosaurs. This event paved the way for the rise of mammals, ultimately leading to the evolution of many species, including humans.