Synopses & Reviews
Leading specialists in various disciplines were first invited to a multidisciplinary workshop funded by ICSU on the topic to gain a better appreciation and perspective on the subject of comet/asteroid impacts as viewed by different disciplines. This volume provides a necessary link between various disciplines and comet/asteroid impacts.
Synopsis
In 1908 an atmospheric explosion in northern Siberia released energy equivalent to 15 Mton of TNT. Can a comparable or larger NEO affect us again? When the next NEO strikes Earth will it be large enough to destroy a city? Will the climate change significantly? Can archaeology and anthropology provide insights into the expected cultural responses with NEO interactions? Does society have a true grasp of the actual risks involved? Is the Great Depression a good model for the economic collapse that could follow a NEO catastrophe? This volume provides a necessary link between various disciplines and comet/asteroid impacts.
Table of Contents
The Geologic Record of Destructive Impact Events on Earth.- The Archaeology and Anthropology of Quaternary Period Cosmic Impact.- Celestial Objects and Events in Archaeology and Popular Culture.- The Asteroid Impact Hazard and Interdisciplinary Issues.- Understanding the Near-Earth Object Population.- Physical Properties of NEOs and Risks of an Impact.- Evaluating the Risk of Impacts and the Efficiency of Risk Reduction.- Physical Effects of Comet and Asteroid Impacts.-Frequent Ozone Depletion Resulting from Impacts of Asteroids and Comets.- Tsunami as a Destructive Aftermath of Oceanic Impacts.- The Climatic Effects of Asteroid and Comet Impacts.- The Tunguska Event.- Atmospheric Megacryometeor Events Versus Small Meteorite Impacts.- Social Science and Near-Earth Objects.- Perception of Risk from Asteroid Impact.- Hazard Risk Assessment of a Near Earth Object.- Social Perspectives on Comet/Asteroid Impact Hazard.- The Societal Implications of a Comet/Asteroid Impact on Earth.- Disaster Planning for Cosmic Impacts.- Insurance Coverage of Meteorite, Asteroid and Comet Impacts.- The Economic Consequences of Disasters due to Asteroid and Comet Impacts.- Communicating Impact Risk to the Public.- Impact Risk Communication Management.- Towards Rational International Policies on the NEO Hazard.- A Road Map for Creating a NEO Research Program in Developing Countries.