SIBERIA METEORITE FLATTENS 40 SQ MILES

The Times ^ | 7 June 2003 | Robin Shepherd

[Mike Darancette]

IF IT had hit Central London, Britain would no longer have a capital city. The force of the meteorite that hit eastern Siberia last September destroyed 40 square miles of forest and caused earth tremors felt 60 miles away.

An expedition from Russia's Kosmopoisk institute has only recently reached the site in a remote area north of Lake Baikal because of bad weather and difficult terrain, the Interfax news agency said yesterday.

Fragments of the meteorite had apparently exploded into shrapnel 18 miles above the Earth with the force of at least 200 tonnes of TNT.

At the time, Russian media reported that villagers 60 miles away had witnessed a gigantic fireball screeching down from the sky, causing windows to rattle and house lights to swing as they were hit by blast waves on September 25. There were no reported casualties.

Copyright 2003, The Times

[Mike Darancette]

Or it could've hit Paris.

Though 200 of TNT Tons seems a little light.

[Mike Darancette]

tons Of TNT

[Notforprophet]

Like a mini Tunguska, cool.

[Rebel_Ace]

You know, all kidding aside, it is amazingly lucky that the thing didn't come down over a more populated area. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[RightWhale]

.2 kilotons is way small for a city buster.

[tet68]

Last September and they only know reached it?

It wouldn't be like that here, by now there would already be a burger joint shaped like a flying saucer on the spot,
and a trailer from the Area 51 society, Art Bell would be
broadcasting from the smoking hole, and Peta would be protesting the loss of some obscure animal.

[rmmcdaniell]

Anybody got before/after satellite pics?

[Doc On The Bay]

....."I Wouldn't Wish that on Anyone!"...

Come On!!-- Not Even "Mecca??"

Doc

[breakem]

...........and at least one reality TV show.

[LibKill]

What is it about Siberia that attracts these weird explosions? Is Siberia accursed?

[dogbyte12]

You know, all kidding aside, it is amazingly lucky that the thing didn't come down over a more populated area. I wouldn't wish that on anyone

Well, the earth is 70% water, so chances are these things will hit in the middle of an ocean. Then, most areas of land are unpopulated still believe it or not. Take the land mass of the North Pole, Northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia, the South Pole, etc...

Chances are good that these won't make direct hits on a populated area. But, there always is a chance, and somebody wins the lottery.

If this sucker hit downtown L.A. or hit about 2 miles off in the ocean in L.A. Harbor, we would still be talking about the damage. Direct hit of this thing in L.A. would make 9-11 look like a small death count in comparison.

[PoorMuttly]

Sorry.

Can I have my meterorite back now ?

[cardinal4]

and Peta would be protesting the loss of some obscure animal.

ROTFL!!!

[BlueNgold]

An apropos time to repeat my favorite one line post:
The sky is falling!

[Sam Cree]

"Is Siberia accursed?"

Sort of like a trailer park with a tornado?

[HardStarboard]

>>>....."I Wouldn't Wish that on Anyone!"... <<<

Not even on a Hillary book signing...?

[tet68]

Tunguska Survivor.
In which three members of the politbureau, an Italian
socialist weather forcaster, two brainless french bimbos
and vladimir the vodka salesman struggle to survive the
effects of the rain of meteorites.

Last week one member of the politbureau,and the Italian were incinerated, and the rather hairy french bimbo
was killed by mosquitos.

Who will fall next?

[breakem]

Not a bad idea to be voted out of Siberia.

[putupon]

SIBERIA METEORITE FLATTENS 40 SQ MILES, yadda yadda yadda

[Chi-townChief]

Didn't this happen in 1908? Worlds in Collision.