What was the cause of the Tunguska event?
In the early morning of June 30, 1908, a massive explosion flattened entire forests in a remote region of Eastern Siberia along the Tunguska River. Khrennikov and co say the explosion was caused by an asteroid that grazed the Earth, entering the atmosphere at a shallow angle and then passing out again into space.
What probably caused the Tunguska event of 1908?
But the latest research has concluded that the Tunguska explosion was almost certainly caused by a comet entering the Earth’s atmosphere. “The evidence is pretty strong that the Earth was hit by a comet in 1908.” Previous speculation had ranged from comets to meteors.
How many people died during the Tunguska Event?
Tunguska event
| Trees knocked over by the Tunguska blast. Photograph from the Soviet Academy of Science 1927 expedition led by Leonid Kulik. | |
|---|---|
| Date | 30 June 1908 |
| Outcome | Flattening 2,150 km2 (830 sq mi) of forest Devastation to local plants and animals |
| Deaths | 0 confirmed, 3 possible |
| Property damage | A few damaged buildings |
How often does a Tunguska event happen?
Based on such estimates, a Tunguska-like event happens every 100 to 1,000 years. Using computer models to simulate the energy released by airburst of objects exploding mid-air, from stony asteroids…
What does the name Tunguska mean?
According to a user from Indiana, U.S., the name Tunguska is of Russian origin and means “The name of a forest near Siberia in Russia”. Search for more names by meaning .
How big was Tunguska asteroid?
NASA estimated that this asteroid measures 157 to 360 feet (48 to110 meters) wide, making the space rock up to 3.6 times the size of the one that leveled 500,000 acres (2,000 square kilometers) of Siberian forest when it exploded over Tunguska in 1908. [Gallery: Potentially Dangerous Asteroids]