[meteorite-list] Re: Asteroid Gets Initial Elevated Risk Rating, ...(Asteroid 2004 MN4)

[Paul H]

Ron Baalke quoted:

Asteroid gets initial elevated risk 
rating, but impact unlikely
By JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press
December 23, 2004

...text deleted...

Asteroid 2004 MN4, believed to be about 1,300 feet 
long, potentially could impact Earth in 2029, based 
on a limited number of initial sightings, said 
Donald Yeomans, manager of the Near Earth Object 
Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 
Pasadena."

I went to http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/impacteffects/ ,
and did some calculations.

Assuming an average projectile velocity of 17 km/s, 
and 45 degree entry angle, the result for the impact 
of a dense rock object of this size in sedimentary 
rock is:

"Transient Crater Diameter: 4.95 km = 3.07 miles
Transient Crater Depth: 1.75 km = 1.09 miles

Final Crater Diameter: 6.13 km = 3.8 miles
Final Crater Depth: 0.511 km = 0.317 miles"

In case of an iron projectile, in sedimentary rock,
the result is:

"Transient Crater Diameter: 7.08 km = 4.4 miles
Transient Crater Depth:  2.5 km = 1.56 miles

Final Crater Diameter: 9.19 km = 5.71 miles
Final Crater Depth:  0.577 km = 0.358 miles"

If this hits land, someone will definitely have a bad 
day and one hell of tourist attraction afterward. 

Given its small "footprint", if the rock could be 
directed to a specific piece of property, I image,
a lot of states could find a 80 square area they 
would sacrifice as ground zero for its landing given
the unlimited tourist potential such a crater would
have.

Is there any way to figure out what sort of tsunami 
a rock this size would cause?

Best Regards,

Paul
Baton Rouge, LA



		
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