What would happen if an astroid did hit earth

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In summary, if a 2 km diameter asteroid were to hit Earth, it would have catastrophic effects. Whether it hits land or ocean, it would cause widespread destruction and potentially trigger global-scale tsunamis. The impact would also result in a change in global climate, leading to crop failures, destruction of the ozone layer, and possible extinctions. According to a report by the Task Force on Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects, a 2 km asteroid would not cause a mass extinction event, but its impact would still have severe consequences. The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs was estimated to be 10 km in diameter, which had a global devastating impact.
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decibel
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wut would happen if an astroid did hit eart, say a like 2 km one...wwhat would the impact be like, the after effects...and the losses?
 
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NASA's Asteroid and Comet Impact site

http://impact.arc.nasa.gov/
Click on Introduction and FAQs.

This JPL site also has a lot of good material:
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news126.html
 
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A 2 km diameter asteroid would make a huge impact. If it hit land, it would immediately & completely destroy an area the size of a large state (e.g., California) or a small country (e.g., France) by the force of the impact and widespread fire. It would leave a 30 km crater.

An ocean impact would generate global-scale tsunamis.

Hitting either land or ocean would kick up enough dust into the atmosphere to change the global climate. Crops would fail worldwide. The ozone layer would likely be destroyed. Lots of plant and animal extinctions would occur, but probably not a "mass extinction".

source: Report of the Task Force on Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects, U.K., Sept 2000

IIRC, the one that killed the dinosaurs was 10 km (global devastation).
 

1. What would be the impact of an asteroid hitting Earth?

If a large enough asteroid were to hit Earth, it could potentially cause widespread destruction and even mass extinction. The exact impact would depend on the size and composition of the asteroid, as well as where it hit on the planet.

2. How likely is it for an asteroid to hit Earth?

The chances of a catastrophic asteroid impact on Earth are very low. NASA estimates that there is a 1 in 300,000 chance of a potentially hazardous asteroid hitting Earth in the next 100 years.

3. Would we be able to predict and prepare for an asteroid impact?

Yes, scientists are constantly monitoring the skies for any potentially hazardous asteroids and developing ways to track and predict their paths. If an asteroid were headed towards Earth, there are also potential methods for deflecting or destroying it before impact.

4. What would happen to the climate if an asteroid hit Earth?

The impact of an asteroid on Earth could cause significant changes in the climate, including a decrease in sunlight due to the debris and dust kicked up into the atmosphere. This could potentially lead to a cooling period and disruptions to the food chain.

5. How would an asteroid impact affect human life?

An asteroid impact could have a devastating impact on human life, depending on the size and location of the impact. It could cause widespread destruction, loss of infrastructure, and potential mass casualties. However, with proper preparation and warning, the impact on human life could be minimized.

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