According to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA, our planet was hit by 556 asteroids between 1994 and 2013. These are relatively small asteroids which most of them don’t make it through the atmosphere. Some of them, though, like the Chelyabinsk meteorite, crash-landed with considerable force.
But what if a huge asteroid with a diameter of 500km hit Earth in this day and age? In this Large Asteroid Impact Simulation video, it paints a vividly terrifying picture of what would actually occur. In the video’s description, it says: “An asteroid with a diameter of 500 km. Destination: The Pacific Ocean. The impact peels the 10 km crust off the surface. The shockwave travels at hypersonic speeds. Debris is blasted across into low Earth orbit, and returns to destroy the surface of the Earth. The firestorm encircles the Earth, vaporizing all life in its way.”
Here’s the original clip of the simulation from Discovery Channel miniseries Miracle Planet with narration about the specific ways in which the asteroid impact would destroy life on Earth.
But don’t worry, guys, this is only a simulation. If something like this happens, I’m sure Will Smith, Tom Cruise or someone as badass will save the day. Right? Now do your friends a favor, show this video to them.