New Asteroid Study Suggests Hollywood Is Wrong About Ocean Impacts

[Lamb]

New Asteroid Study Suggests Hollywood Is Wrong About Ocean Impacts

"When an asteroid hits the middle of the ocean in Hollywood movies, it creates devastating waves that wipe out coastal cities. But new simulations reveal that real asteroids don't make such a splash. That's because the crash releases most of its energy hurling water up into the atmosphere, and very little on making waves."

"If the asteroid impact is within 60 miles (100 km) or so of the shore, it can dramatically impact the coast, Gisler said. Larger objects, around 980 feet (300 meters), can create hurricane-force winds and shock waves in the air, as well as localized waves. But if the asteroid splashes down farther from the coast, the massive waves it forms quickly break in the open ocean."

 

[JRT]

New Asteroid Study Suggests Hollywood Is Wrong About Ocean Impacts

"When an asteroid hits the middle of the ocean in Hollywood movies, it creates devastating waves that wipe out coastal cities. But new simulations reveal that real asteroids don't make such a splash. That's because the crash releases most of its energy hurling water up into the atmosphere, and very little on making waves."

"If the asteroid impact is within 60 miles (100 km) or so of the shore, it can dramatically impact the coast, Gisler said. Larger objects, around 980 feet (300 meters), can create hurricane-force winds and shock waves in the air, as well as localized waves. But if the asteroid splashes down farther from the coast, the massive waves it forms quickly break in the open ocean."

Very interesting. However, I suspect that the disruptions caused to the tectonic plates by such impacts would cause massive earthquakes with their resulting tsunamis The waves might not be immediate but could last for a very long time after first impact.