Tunguska asteroid simulation close-up by Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories supercomputer simulation of the Tunguska asteroid impact that occurred June 30, 1908.

Video:
The box dimensions are 4 km wide and 3 km high. The colors indicate the energy associated with vorticity, the swirling, tornado-like eddies generated by the downward motion. High velocity winds can be sustained at ground level by vortex flow.
The asteroid is moving through the atmosphere at a typical impact velocity (20 km/s). For illustration purposes, extra energy is deposited into the asteroid when it reaches 5 km, for a total of 5 megatons. Momentum carries the hot fireball down to the surface, which enhances heat and wind effects on the ground.

Original source and info:
http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/asteroid.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Tunguska
• asteroid
• simulation
• 1908
• Sandia
• explosion
• impact
• blast
• supercomputer

[Nuker1337]

Looks awesome!