HW_Impact Simulator Kyle

EES 0836 Impact Simulator Disasters: Geology vs. Hollywood Introduction As we have discussed in class, the Earth has been hit by objects from space in the past, and it will be hit again in the future. Now, we don’t know what this would look like, but we make some predictions on the effects of the impact through modeling. In this activity, you will be using an impact simulator to see what would happen if/when the Earth is hit by another object from space . Learning Objectives ● Visualize how different size objects can impact the Earth. (1, a) ● Apply students’ understanding of recurrence interval and probability. (1, 2, 5, a) ● Critically analyze governments’ role in preventing hazards. (2, 5, a, b) Part 1 : The simulator This activity uses the website simulator Down2Earth . You can vary any facet of an asteroid impact and see the damage that results. Before we begin, I encourage you to play around with the website. Change the parameters (distance from the impact site, etc.), look at the data view, etc., just to get acquainted with the details of the simulator . For this activity, we are standardizing certain details. A couple things before you get started: pay attention to units (i.e. km, mi, in, ft, etc.) and click on the “data view” for impact details . Parameters : ● Select “Earth” and click “ Start ” ● Trajectory angle: 45° ● Projectile velocity: 25 km/s ● Projectile density: dense rock ● Target density: sedimentary Meteorite 1 Set Projectile diameter to: 100 m 1. How big is the crater? Depth: 190 m, Width: 893 m Depth: 0.11 mile(s), Width: 0.55 mile(s) Click on “ Data View ” 1. What happens to the impactor? The projectile reaches the ground in a broken condition. The mass of the projectile strikes the surface at a velocity of 9.54 km/s 2. What type of damage would you expect to see at a distance of 5 km? Small buildings made of primarily wood would collapse, windows and bridges would collapse, trees would blow away. 3. What type of damage would you expect to see at a distance of 25 km?

EES 0836 Glass windows would shatter 4. How frequent does this type of impact occur? 4,312 yrs Meteorite 2 Set Projectile diameter to: 1,000 m 1. How big is the crater? Depth: 566 m, Width: 8,602 m Depth: 0.35 mile(s), Width: 5.35 mile(s) Click on “ Data View ” 1. What happens to the impactor? The projectile reaches the ground in a broken condition. The mass of the projectile strikes the surface at a velocity of 24.84 km/s 2. What type of damage would you expect to see at a distance of 25 km? Wood and clothing catches fire, body suffers third degree burns, buildings would distort and collapse, and cars and bridges would get blown away. 3. What type of damage would you expect to see at a distance of 250 km? body would suffer 2nd degree burns, trees would ignite, windows would shatter, and wood frame buildings would blow down. 4. How frequent does this type of impact occur? 880,347 yrs Meteorite 3 Set Projectile diameter to: 10,000 m 1. How big is the crater? Depth: 1,088 m, Width: 75,506 m Depth: 0.68 mile(s), Width: 46.92 mile(s) Click on “ Data View ” 1. What happens to the impactor? The projectile reaches the ground in a broken condition. The mass of the projectile strikes the surface at a velocity of 24.99 km/s 2. What type of damage would you expect to see at a distance of 25 km? death 3. What type of damage would you expect to see at a distance of 250 km? body gets third degree burns, wood burns, buildings collapse, bridges collapse.

EES 0836 with the clip, they didn’t address what would have happened to the man standing that close to the impact . 1. Even though Alix said that the object probably would have burned up in the atmosphere (meteor) and would not have had any noticeable effect on him, in the scene, it does make contact. Based on your findings from the simulator, what do you think would have happened to the man if this was real life? Explain your reasoning. A meteoroid that size would probably cause a bigger impact than what was shown based on the speed of the object. It’s very possible that it could have caused the man burns to his skin (and by touching it, it looks like he did) and potentially burned up a portion of his farm. 2. While no one has died from an impact, there are a few cases in which people have been hit by falling objects from space. How does the story of Ann Hodges compare/contrast with the scene from Creepshow? While Ann was hit by the meteorite after it bounced, if it had hit her directly it ’s very likely it could’ve cause serious bodily harm, and potentially death. Based on the speed that the meteoroid was traveling in Creepshow, had it hit someone it almost 100% would’ve caused a death.