The 1908 Tunguska explosion: Atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid

Christopher F. Chyba; Paul J. Thomas; Kevin J. Zahnle

doi:10.1038/361040a0

The 1908 Tunguska explosion: Atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid

Christopher F. Chyba, Paul J. Thomas, Kevin J. Zahnle

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399 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	40-44
Number of pages	5
Journal	Nature
Volume	361
Issue number	6407
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/361040a0
State	Published - 1993
Externally published	Yes

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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.",

author = "Chyba, {Christopher F.} and Thomas, {Paul J.} and Zahnle, {Kevin J.}",

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The 1908 Tunguska explosion: Atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid

Abstract

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