Life and Death by Impact
SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
Sean Gulick
University of Texas at Austin
What is the talk about?
What can a 66-million-year-old impact crater reveal about the past and future of life on Earth? Dr. Sean Gulick explores the science behind one of the most dramatic events in Earth’s history, the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs. From discovering a giant crater in Mexico to drilling deep into the Earth to link this impact to the mass extinction, Dr. Gulick unpacks the explosive chain of events that wiped out 75 percent of life on the planet. Current research is studying how meteorite impacts shape planets, create new ecosystems, and may even help life begin on Earth and on other worlds.
About our presenter
Sean Gulick
Sean is Co-Director of the Center for Planetary Systems Habitability and a Research Professor at The University of Texas at Austin. He holds a PhD from Lehigh University and is an expert in tectonic processes, climate interactions, and planetary science. His research spans nearly every continent on Earth as well as the Moon and Mars, where he studies natural hazards such as earthquakes and glaciers, as well as events like asteroid impacts. Sean’s work helps uncover how extreme events shape Earth’s past and inform the search for life beyond our planet.
Schedule & Location
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30-6:40 PM | Cool Activities | 2nd Floor Grand Hallway, Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus |
| 7:00-8:15 PM | Talk | 2.224 Auditorium, Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus |
Parking & Directions
Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus
Welch Hall (WEL) is located at 105 E. 24th St, on the corner of Speedway and 24th Streets. Enter the Welch Hall building from the Speedway side.
Discount event parking will be available soon at https://utparking.clickandpark.com/ until midnight Thursday before the talk! From the "Venue Selection" page, select Welch Hall. You will see the Hot Science - Cool Talks, select the date of this event. Select Find Parking. Select the parking passes you need and click Add to Cart. (The cost of parking is determined by UT Parking and Transportation) Select Continue Checkout. Add your Billing Info and Complete Purchase. You will be sent a pdf attachment with a QR code. Please check the PDF has your code. Otherwise, contact ClickandPark at 866-330-7275 for billing issues.