If a 10km Asteroid Impacted the Pacific along the equator

In summary, the conversation discussed the potential impact of an asteroid hitting the ocean between Hawaii and French Polynesia. There were questions about the visual effects, the size and reach of the resulting wave, and the potential for material to be launched into the atmosphere. One participant referenced a calculator for asteroid impact effects and made a rough estimate for the height of the wave. It was also noted that earthquakes and tidal waves from the moon can produce much higher waves when striking the coast. The conversation ended with the mention of a simulation of a 500km impact, which showed that no location on Earth would be safe from the devastating effects.
  • #1
Dav333
91
0
Say between Hawaii & French Polonesia.

What would it look like standing on the beach in LA or Sydney? Can anyone give detailed description?

Like would the sky out on the ocean front light up like a second sun?
What kind of a wave? How far inland would it reach?
Would it be followed by tremendous blast front of material rocks etc? If the material reached that far.

In terms of material being launched into the atmosphere, would the impact be much less then if impacted on land?

Would you feel the Earth shake a bit on the far side of the planet?

All of got to go on is Hollywood films.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
A calculator for astoroid impact effects is here:

http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/impacteffects/" [Broken]

There's nothing about tidal waves. A very rough guess for the height would be

(ocean depth) * (radius of hole in the water) / (distance from impact)

for an asteroid which is large enough to hit the bottom, which a 10 km is, since it will make a large crater in the ocean bottom.

This could be 5 km * 50 km / 5000 km = 50 m for a mid pacific strike. Tsunami's produced by earthquakes, and the tidal waves produced by the moon can become much higher when striking the coast, and I've no idea how that will work out here.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
thanks. I simulated a rare 500km impact & seems no where on Earth was safe, the whole surface was like hell.
 

1. What would be the immediate impact of a 10km asteroid impacting the Pacific along the equator?

The immediate impact of a 10km asteroid impacting the Pacific along the equator would be a massive explosion upon impact. The force of the impact would cause a powerful shock wave, triggering earthquakes and tsunamis in the surrounding areas. The blast would also release a huge amount of dust and debris into the atmosphere, creating a temporary barrier that would block out sunlight and potentially cause a cooling effect on the Earth's climate.

2. How would the impact of a 10km asteroid affect the surrounding marine life?

The impact of a 10km asteroid would have a catastrophic effect on marine life in the Pacific Ocean. The initial impact would create a massive shock wave that would cause widespread destruction and displacement of marine habitats. The resulting tsunamis would also cause significant damage to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. The release of debris and ash into the ocean would also impact the water quality and potentially harm marine creatures.

3. What would be the long-term effects of a 10km asteroid impact on the Earth's climate?

The long-term effects of a 10km asteroid impact on the Earth's climate would depend on the extent of the impact and the amount of debris and dust released into the atmosphere. In the short term, the dust and debris would block out sunlight, causing a temporary cooling effect on the global climate. However, in the long term, the massive release of greenhouse gases and other chemicals from the impact could lead to significant changes in the Earth's climate, potentially causing a global cooling or warming trend.

4. How would a 10km asteroid impact impact human civilization?

The impact of a 10km asteroid on the Pacific along the equator would have devastating effects on human civilization. The immediate impact would cause widespread destruction and displacement of coastal communities, as well as damage to infrastructure and essential resources such as food and water. The long-term effects on the Earth's climate could also have a significant impact on human societies, potentially leading to widespread famine, disease, and displacement.

5. What measures are in place to prevent a 10km asteroid impact from happening?

There are various measures in place to prevent a 10km asteroid from impacting the Earth. These include monitoring and tracking near-Earth objects, developing and testing asteroid deflection methods, and collaboration between international organizations and agencies to address the potential threat. NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office is responsible for leading efforts to detect, track, and mitigate the potential impact of near-Earth objects, including asteroids.

Similar threads

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Earth Sciences
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Earth Sciences
Replies
6
Views
8K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
857
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
934
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top