(SQAUK) – Asteroid Apophis is a well-known near-Earth object (NEO). It has an estimated diameter of about 1,100 feet (335 meters) and could cause significant regional damage if it collides with Earth. However, NASA and ESA have stated that such an impact cannot occur shortly. But what would happen if Apophis did hit Earth, specifically the coast of California?
The impact of Apophis would release an enormous amount of energy, equivalent to about 1,200 megatons of TNT, or about 24 times the yield of the most significant nuclear weapon ever detonated. The blast would create a crater about 3 miles (5 kilometers) wide and 1,000 feet (300 meters) deep and eject millions of tons of debris into the atmosphere. The shockwave would shatter windows and damage buildings for hundreds of miles, and the heat would ignite fires and scorch vegetation. The impact would also trigger earthquakes and tsunamis, potentially affecting the Pacific Rim.
The exact consequences of such an impact depend on the location and angle of Apophis’ approach. If Apophis were to hit the ocean, the resulting tsunami would be more destructive than the blast, inundating coastal areas with high waves up to 100 feet (30 meters). If Apophis were to hit the land, the explosion would be more devastating, but the tsunami would be less severe. The angle of impact would also affect the amount of debris thrown into the atmosphere, which could block sunlight and lower global temperatures for months or years, affecting agriculture and ecosystems worldwide.
The probability of Apophis hitting California, or any other specific location on Earth, is extremely low, even if the asteroid were on a collision course with our planet. The Earth’s rotation and gravity would alter Apophis’ trajectory, making it impossible to predict the exact point of impact until a few hours before the event. However, astronomers have mapped out potential impact zones based on Apophis’ orbital parameters and possible variations. These zones cover many latitudes and longitudes, spanning Russia to Brazil and Australia to Canada.
The good news is that Apophis is neither a threat to Earth nor any known NEOs. Thanks to the efforts of NASA, ESA, and other agencies and organizations, more than 95% of the NEOs larger than 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) have been discovered and tracked, and none of them pose any danger to our planet in the next century. Smaller NEOs, such as Apophis, are more challenging to detect and less likely to cause global catastrophe. Even so, astronomers are constantly searching for new NEOs and developing strategies to deflect or destroy them, if necessary. As the famous astronomer Carl Sagan once said, “The sky calls to us. If we do not destroy ourselves, we will one day venture to the stars.”
