Tunguska

Definition

Tunguska refers to a massive explosion that occurred near the Tunguska River in Siberia on June 30, 1908, likely caused by the airburst of a small comet or asteroid. It flattened an estimated 80 million trees over an area of 2,150 square kilometers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Tunguska event is the largest impact event on Earth in recorded history.
2. No impact crater was found, suggesting the object exploded in the atmosphere.
3. Estimates suggest the energy released was between 10 and 15 megatons of TNT.
4. The event helped scientists understand the potential dangers of near-Earth objects (NEOs).
5. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a fireball followed by a shock wave that knocked people off their feet.

Review Questions

• What caused the Tunguska explosion?
• Why is there no impact crater at the Tunguska site?
• How did the Tunguska event contribute to our understanding of near-Earth objects?

Related terms

Impact Event: A collision between astronomical objects causing significant physical effects.

Near-Earth Object (NEO): An asteroid or comet with an orbit bringing it close to Earth's orbit.

Airburst: An explosion occurring when a meteoroid disintegrates in Earth's atmosphere before reaching the ground.