Question

a scientist discovers a deep bowl - like divot under the ocean off the coast of eastern mexico that is many kilometers across. the layers of the ground all around the continent from around the time that structure formed contain large amounts of iridium and a larger number of fossils than is normally found. what most likely caused the bowl - like structure? a comet a meteorite an iridium spike a kuiper object impact

Explanation:

The Chicxulub crater, which is a large bowl - like structure off the coast of eastern Mexico, is associated with a mass extinction event. Meteorite impacts are known to cause such large - scale craters. Comets are mostly ice and dust, and while they can impact, meteorites (rocky/metallic space objects) are more commonly linked to large impact craters like the one described. An iridium spike is a layer (not a cause of the structure). Kuiper objects are in the outer solar system and less likely to be the cause of this specific structure.

Answer:

a meteorite