| There have been many examples, big and small, throughout the history of our planet of asteroids striking the earth. In fact, a comet impact is probably where the Earth's water came from. However, an impact of an object larger than 1 km in diameter would present a major hazard to all of life on Earth. |
| An example of an asteroid impact really doing a lot of damage happened about 65 million years ago. Scientists believe that an asteroid impact was responsible for the extinction of most of the dinosaurs. Labeled the "K-T Impact", this object was about 15-20 km in diameter. It hit the earth in Chicxulub, Mexico on the Gulf of Mexico. When it struck it kicked an enormous amount of dust into the atmosphere, stopping plant growth throughout the globe for up to 1 year and blocking sunlight for up to 6 months. This also led to acid rain and toxic vapors in the atmosphere. To learn more about the K-T Impact click on the burning link below: |
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| Chicxulub, Mexico |
| In 1908 in Tunguska, Siberia an asteroid hit the earth but exploded in the atmosphere about 4 miles above the surface. This object was about 50 meters in diameter. Even though it didn't make it all the way to the earth's surface, it still did an amazing amount of damage. There were some eye-witness accounts from varoius distances: |
| 600 miles |
| 300 miles |
| 100 miles |
| 40 miles |
| As you can see Asteroid impacts have devastating consequences and must be considered a significant threat to humanity. |
| People were thrown through the air, knocked unconscience, and killed. |
| 20 miles |
| People were thrown to the ground and knocked unconscience. Broken windows, battered homes. |
| A brilliant sun-like fireball; thunderous noises were heard. |
| Deafening bangs accompanied a fiery cloud on the horizon. |
| Earthquakes were detected on sensitive instruments. |
| Florida |
| Texas |
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| Past Impacts |