The Destructive Power of Meteorites and Asteroids: A Historical Perspective
Meteorites, particularly those measuring several dozen meters in diameter, create a stunning display as they blaze through Earth’s atmosphere. However, a meteorite larger than 2 kilometers can cause catastrophic events; for instance, a rock with a diameter of 1 kilometer could obliterate an entire city upon impact. Throughout its billions of years of existence, Earth has endured significant destruction, with numerous traces still visible today.
Some notable meteorite impacts on Earth, listed chronologically, include: Vredefort Dome impact (2 billion years ago), the Dinosaur Extinction event (65 million years ago), Hoba meteorite (80,000 years ago), Barringer Crater (50,000 years ago), and the Tunguska event (100 years ago).
So, is it possible that a large asteroid could once again wipe out life on Earth in the future? The answer is yes; it is merely a matter of time. Humanity cannot stand idly by and watch as its civilization could vanish due to a rock from space.
The infographic below illustrates Earth’s defense mechanisms designed to destroy or divert dangerous asteroids. Take a look!
