Modeling airbursts by comets, asteroids, and nuclear detonations: shock metamorphism, meltglass, and microspherules

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F24%3A10492339" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/24:10492339 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=2HMJxK48Qe" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=2HMJxK48Qe</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.14293/ACI.2024.0004" target="_blank" >10.14293/ACI.2024.0004</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Modeling airbursts by comets, asteroids, and nuclear detonations: shock metamorphism, meltglass, and microspherules

Original language description

Asteroid and comet impacts can produce a wide range of effects, varying from large crater-forming events to high-altitude, non-destructive airbursts. Numerous studies have used computer hydrocode to model airbursts, primarily focusing on high-altitude events with limited surface effects. Few have modeled so-called &quot;touch-down&quot; events when an airburst occurs at an altitude of less than ~1000 m, and no known studies have simultaneously modeled changes in airburst pressures, temperatures, shockwave speeds, visible materials, and bulk material failure for such events. This study used the hydrocode software Autodyn-2D to investigate these interrelated variables. Four airburst scenarios are modeled: the Trinity nuclear airburst in New Mexico (1945), an 80-m asteroid, a 100-m comet, and a 140-m comet. Our investigation reveals that touch-down airbursts can demolish buildings and cause extensive ground-surface damage. The modeling also indicates that contrary to prevailing views, low-altitude touch-down airbursts can produce shock metamorphism when the airburst shockwave or fragments strike Earth&apos;s surface at sufficiently high velocities, pressures, and temperatures. These conditions can also produce microspherules, meltglass, and shallow impact craters. Regardless of modeling uncertainties, it is known that bolides can burst just above the Earth&apos;s surface, causing significant damage that is detectable in the geologic record. These results have important implications for using shocked quartz and melted materials to identify past touch-down airbursts in the absence of a typical impact crater. Although relatively rare, touch-down events are more common than large crater-forming events and are potentially more dangerous.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_ost - Miscellaneous article in a specialist periodical

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10505 - Geology

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA23-06075S" target="_blank" >GA23-06075S: Environmental changes caused by extraterrestrial impacts and volcanism: Evidence from lake sediments</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Airbursts and Cratering Impacts

ISSN

2941-9085

e-ISSN

2941-9085

Volume of the periodical

2

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

DE - GERMANY

Number of pages

30

Pages from-to

1-30

UT code for WoS article

—

EID of the result in the Scopus database

—