Chapter 13: Tunguska Disaster Simulation

This simulation shows what happens when momentum is not ignored, an approach that is allowed with modern supercomputers and codes. The same asteroid is now moving through the atmosphere at a typical impact velocity (20 km/s). For illustration purposes, extra energy is deposited into the asteroid when it reaches 5 km, for a total of 5 megatons. Momentum carries the hot fireball down to the surface, which enhances heat and wind effects on the ground.

Credits: Sandia National Laboratories/Mark Boslough; photo by Randy Montoya; https://newsreleases.sandia.gov/releases/2007/asteroid.html
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