Siberian Impact Crater Found: 1908 Russian Space Blast

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In summary, a team of scientists have found a crater in Siberia that is believed to be the result of a mysterious explosion nearly a century ago. The angle of impact is thought to have been a glancing blow, similar to the pattern found in the lake nearby. It remains to be seen if a core will be discovered in the crater.
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Crater From 1908 Russian Space Impact Found, Team Says

Almost a century after a mysterious explosion in Russia flattened a huge swath of Siberian forest, scientists have found what they believe is a crater made by the cosmic object that made the blast [continued]
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/11/071107-russia-crater.html
 
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I think it was a crater from a fragment that vaporized off of it. If I'm not mistaken, it blew in the upper atmosphere, leaving no impact crater.
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/11/071107-russia-crater.html


IMO, it's interesting that the angle of impact is thought to be that much of a glancing blow. Several previous studies of the tree damage have suggested that the angle of travel was very much like the crater pattern they found in the lake. It will be interesting to see if they actually find a core.
 
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1. What is the Siberian Impact Crater Found?

The Siberian Impact Crater Found refers to a large crater that was discovered in 1908 near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Siberia, Russia. It is believed to have been caused by a massive explosion, known as the Tunguska event, which occurred in the Earth's atmosphere.

2. What caused the Tunguska event?

The exact cause of the Tunguska event is still debated by scientists. Some theories suggest it was a meteorite or comet that exploded in the atmosphere, while others propose it may have been caused by a small black hole or antimatter. However, the most widely accepted explanation is that it was caused by a meteoroid or comet fragment.

3. How big is the Siberian Impact Crater?

The Siberian Impact Crater is estimated to be about 50-60 meters in diameter, with a depth of around 5-10 meters. It is relatively small compared to other impact craters on Earth, but the explosion is believed to have been equivalent to about 10-15 megatons of TNT, making it one of the largest explosions in recorded history.

4. Has anyone been to the Siberian Impact Crater?

There have been several expeditions to the site of the Tunguska event, but no one has been able to reach the actual impact crater. This is because the area is remote and difficult to access, with dense forests and marshy terrain. However, researchers have been able to study the area through aerial surveys and satellite imagery.

5. Is there any danger from the Siberian Impact Crater?

Currently, there is no known danger from the Siberian Impact Crater. However, if a similar event were to occur in a more populated area, it could cause significant damage and loss of life. Scientists continue to study the Tunguska event and impact craters in general to better understand the potential risks and effects of such events.

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