What Happens If an Asteroid Hits Earth?
Asteroids have played a huge role in shaping our planet’s history—some have even caused massive changes that we’re still talking about today. Let’s dive into what would happen if an asteroid were to hit Earth, using what we know from past events and current research. How Often Do Asteroids Hit Earth? Asteroids hit Earth more often than you might think, but most of them are so small that they burn up in the atmosphere and don’t cause any damage. The really big ones, the kind that could cause serious trouble, are much rarer. For example, an asteroid about 1 kilometer wide hits Earth roughly every 500,000 years. Bigger ones, around 5 kilometers in diameter, show up about once every 20 million years. When these giant space rocks hit, the impact depends on their size, speed, and the angle they hit at—45 degrees being the most likely. Source: Wikimedia A stunning view of a bolide, a type of meteor that explodes in the atmosphere, illuminating the night sky with its bright trail. Big Aste