Cosmic Airburst May Have Wiped Out Part of the Middle East 3,700 Years Ago

Live Science ^

[BenLurkin]

The airburst "in an instant, devastated approximately 500 km2 [about 200 square miles] immediately north of the Dead Sea, not only wiping out 100 percent of the [cities] and towns, but also stripping agricultural soils from once-fertile fields and covering the eastern Middle Ghor with a super-heated brine of Dead Sea anhydride salts pushed over the landscape by the event's frontal shock waves," the researchers wrote in the abstract for a paper that was presented at the American Schools of Oriental Research annual meeting held in Denver Nov. 14 to 17. Anhydride salts are a mix of salt and sulfates.

"Based upon the archaeological evidence, it took at least 600 years to recover sufficiently from the soil destruction and contamination before civilization could again become established in the eastern Middle Ghor," they wrote. Among the places destroyed was Tall el-Hammam, an ancient city that covered 89 acres (36 hectares) of land.

The only naturally occurring event capable of causing such an unusual pattern of destruction, Silvia said, is a cosmic airburst — something that has occurred occasionally throughout Earth's history, such as the explosion in 1908 at Tunguska in Siberia.

Also, archaeological excavations and surveys at other towns within the impacted area suggest a sudden wipeout of life around 3,700 years ago, Silvia said. So far, no craters have been found nearby, and it's unclear whether the culprit was a meteor or comet that exploded above the ground.

The fact that only 200 square miles of land was destroyed indicates that the airburst occurred at a low altitude, possibly not more than 3,280 feet (1 km) above the ground said Silvia. In comparison, the Tunguska airburst heavily damaged 830 square miles, or 2,150 square kilometersof land.

[BenLurkin]

Another one of “those” topics, as you would say....

[a fool in paradise]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_meteor_air_bursts

[Erik Latranyi]

I love stuff like this because it is very real and a far, far greater threat to civilization than faux man-made climate change.

Something like this over a major city today would kill millions and destabilize the entire world both politically and socially.

No matter our advancements and understanding of the universe, life is still a fragile thing subject to a random act.

[SunkenCiv]

Yeah, it is. Third one so far, that I've noticed. :^)

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tallelhammam keyword:

• Scientists: 'superheated blast from the sky' destroyed Dead Sea cities, pointing to Sodom in Bible
• Evidence of Sodom? Meteor blast cause of biblical destruction, say scientists [2018]
• City of Sodom Discovered: Archeological find gives insight into story of destruction [2015]
• Have archaeologists discovered the biblical city of Sodom? [2015]
• Archaeologists Claim to Have Found Ancient City of Sodom (and Gomorrah) [2015]
• Archaeologist Believes Remains of Sodom's Fiery Destruction Have Been Found [2015]
• Archaeologists discover possible ruins of ancient Sodom in the Holy Land [2015]
• Possible site of ancient Sodom yields more finds [2015]
• Exciting New Archaeological Evidence Uncovered Could be the Site of Biblical Sodom [2011]
• Jordan site may be Biblical city of Sodom [2006]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

[a fool in paradise]

“they” say that every band name has already been taken and that’s why “th3y” now use nVmbr5 and DRPLTTRS in names...

but I see that “Cosmic Airburst” has no matches as a band name

[a fool in paradise]

and some of these flying rocks only make the news about a week before they fly by.

[BenLurkin]

Cosmic Airburst would be a great name for a “Hair Band” cover group.

Meanwhile, there seems to be a shortage of new names for children....https://obbop.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/1049ff.jpg?w=640

[a fool in paradise]

ABCDE?

[RoosterRedux]

I’m guessing archaeologists will soon be finding salt pillar remains of what appear to be gay night clubs in the area of devastation.;-)

[BenLurkin]

Yes.

Wrong link.

Need to go back and get more sleep.

[a fool in paradise]

At least her middle name isn’t “Wayne”.

[stockpirate]

Bump

[Vaquero]

A regular Sodom and Gamora.

[Vaquero]

Or perhaps Sodom and Glocca Morra?

[Delta 21]

NASA scientist unretouched imaginary photographic multi-layered reverse time delayed rendering of the moment.

[BobL]

“ABCDE?”

It’s “abcde”, pal. I think you need a timeout for name-shaming her.

[King Moonracer]

Did they find any pillars of salt?

[a fool in paradise]

>>NASA scientist unretouched imaginary photographic multi-layered reverse time delayed rendering of the moment.

"Ooooooh!"