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The 1908 Tunguska explosion: atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid

Nature volume 361, pages 40–44 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

The explosion over Tunguska, Central Siberia, in 1908 released 10 to 20 megatons (high explosive equivalent) of energy at an altitude of about 10 km. This event represents a typical fate for stony asteroids tens of metres in radius entering the Earth's atmosphere at common hypersonic velocities. Comets and carbonaceous asteroids of the appropriate energy disrupt too high, whereas typical iron objects reach and crater the terrestrial surface.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Christopher F. Chyba

    Present address: Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, Code 693, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Science Division, MS 245-3, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 94035, USA

    Christopher F. Chyba & Kevin J. Zahnle

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54702, USA

    Paul J. Thomas

Authors
  1. Christopher F. Chyba
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  2. Paul J. Thomas
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  3. Kevin J. Zahnle
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Chyba, C., Thomas, P. & Zahnle, K. The 1908 Tunguska explosion: atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid. Nature 361, 40–44 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/361040a0

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