A meteorite impact occurs when a meteorite, a solid fragment from space, collides with the Earth's surface. These impacts can vary in size, from small rocks that burn up in the atmosphere to large objects that create significant craters. The energy released during an impact can cause explosions, fires, and even tsunamis, depending on the size of the meteorite. The effects of a meteorite impact can be devastating. For example, the Chicxulub crater in Mexico is linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago. Impacts can also provide valuable scientific information about the solar system and the history of Earth.