Asteroid Impact: Risk of Debris & Intact Objects on Earth

[projection]

Is the biggest danger of an asteroid hitting Earth the debris released from the asteroid? Looking at general articles it seems that the global risk arises from the debris released into the atmosphere which would affect climate.

What would happen if no debris was released? I mean, if the object that hit Earth remained intact. Like in a sci-fi film you have a spaceship that crashes onto earth. If the object is made of a metal strong enough to remain intact, would it still be a global event from the debris generated from the Earth? Or would it just be felt in the locally.

 

[D H]

That vast majority (> 99.9%) of the ejecta from a moderate-sized to large impactor comes from the Earth itself. Regarding your "metal strong enough to remain intact": Another name for that metal is unobtanium. Scientists haven't quite nailed down the exact characteristics of this material precisely because it is unobtainable.

Large impactors tend to vaporize on impact. Even moderate sized ones tend to do so. Meteor Crater, Arizona is good example. This crater was caused by an impactor with a diameter of about 50 meters. The impact created a crater 2000 times larger (in volume) than the impactor itself. The impact was the equivalent of about 700 Hiroshima bombs all concentrated in one space.

 

[JesseC]

If it hit the ocean, which is highly likely, there is also the mega-tsunamis. The heat generated also has the potential to start enormous forest fires.

 

[DrClapeyron]

What about an impact so powerful that it triggers massive earthquakes, tsunamis and creates volcanic activity like the Siberian Traps? I would imagine something like that if the bolite was not destroyed upon intrance or impact.

 

[LudusRex]

I can say that the biggest danger of an asteroid hitting Earth is not just the debris released from the impact, but also the potential damage caused by the impact itself. The impact of an asteroid can cause widespread destruction and devastation, regardless of whether or not debris is released.

However, the release of debris from an asteroid impact can also have significant consequences. The debris can enter the Earth's atmosphere and cause changes in climate, potentially leading to global effects. This is because the debris can block sunlight, causing a decrease in temperature and affecting plant growth and food production.

If the object that hit Earth remained intact, it would still be a global event due to the impact itself and the potential consequences it could have on the environment and human populations. The size and speed of the object, as well as the location of impact, would determine the extent of the damage and potential global effects.

In the case of a strong metal object crashing onto Earth, the impact would still cause significant damage and potentially trigger earthquakes and tsunamis. The debris generated from the impact would also have local and potentially global effects, depending on the size and composition of the object.

In conclusion, while the release of debris from an asteroid impact can have significant consequences, the impact itself is the biggest danger of an asteroid hitting Earth. Whether or not debris is released, the impact of an asteroid can have catastrophic effects on our planet. Therefore, it is important to continue studying and monitoring potentially hazardous objects in space to better understand and prepare for any potential impacts in the future.