Re: craters (part of YEC defined)
Steven Schimmrich (sschimmr@ursa.calvin.edu)
Sun, 14 Mar 1999 11:31:47 -0500
Allen Roy wrote:
>
>In my reading on asteroid impacts, I have seen no one do any calculations
>along this line. About the most calculated is the size of the explosion in
>megatons.
>
>Let's see if we can make a list of where the released energy would go.
>
>1. Atmosphere:
>
> A. Within a unknown radius of the explosion an unknown amount of air
>molecules will be reduced to single elemental atoms absorbing an unknown
>amount of energy.
>
> B. A conic volumn of known size of the atmosphere will be physically
>blasted into space absorbing an unknown quantity of the energy. An unknown
>quantity of the conic volumn will be lost into space. The rest will be
>attracted back to the planet.
>
> C. Shock waves and sound waves will carry away through the atmosphere
>an unknown quantity of the force.
>
> D. Winds of unknown force and duration will disipate futher unknown
>amounts of energy
>
> E. Heat of the blast will heat the near by atmosphere carrying away an
>unknown quantity of the energy.
>
>2. Ocean:
>
> A. Within an unknown radius of the explosion an unknown amount of water
>is reduced to single elemental atoms absorbing an unknown amount of energy.
>
>
> B. An unknown amount of the water will be evaporated into the
>atmosphere using up an unknown quantity of the energy.
>
> C. A series of mega-tsunami will carry away an unknown quantity of the
>force.
>
>3. Crust of the earth:
>
> A. Within an unknown radius of the explosion an unknown amount of rock
>and soil is reduced to single elemental atomes abosrbing an unknown amount
>of energy.
>
> B. Within an unknown radius of the explosion the crust is greatly
>fractured absorbing an unknown amount of energy.
>
> C. An unknown quantity of dust, pebbles, cobbles, boulders, etc. are
>blasted into space and atmosphere absorbing an unknown quantity of the
>energy.
>
> D. P and S waves carry away an unknown quantity of the force through
>the crust and mantle.
>
>4. Other:
>
> A. Within an unknown radius flamable objects will catch fire from the
>heat of the blast
>
> B. In the atmosphere unknown quantites of water vapor condenses on the
>dust releasing some more of the energy into the atmosphere.
>
>Now, If anyone can quantify some of these unknowns I'd sure appreciate the
>help.
>
>If are some factors I've missed please add it to the list.
This illustrates the difference between armchair theorizing (which young-earth
creationists and other pseudoscientists love to do) and real science. People
HAVE done these types of calculations (especially in the past few years as the
idea of a K-T boundary impact has been put forward). All it would take would be
a simple GeoRef search to get you started rather than relying on guesses from
people who've never studied impact mechanics on a mailing list.
- Steve.
--
Steven H. Schimmrich Assistant professor of geology
Department of Geology and Geography sschimmr@calvin.edu (office)
Calvin College schimmri@earthlink.net (home)
3201 Burton Street SE 616-957-7053, 616-957-6501 (fax)
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 http://home.earthlink.net/~schimmrich/