A 6-mile wide meteorite hit the earth 65 million years ago. Scientists have found a high concentration of iridium in the sedimentary clay layer from this time period. Iridium is very rare in Earth’s crust, but it is abundant in meteorites. Scientists believe this impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Which of these statements correctly describes whether this is a theory or a law and why?
A. It is a law, because it includes a numerical analysis.
B. It is a law, because it explains all causes of animal extinction.
C. It is a theory, because it explains the cause of the dinosaur extinction.
D. It is a theory, because it shows regular patterns from a generalization of the data.