SIMULATION OF THE TUNGUSKA EXPLOSION,
Abstract
A discussion is given of the peculiar radial fall of trees during the Tungus meteorite explosion. The topography of the area is described and the work of the eight seasonal field investigating expeditions to the area of the catastrophe is analyzed. The shock wave of the Tungus meteorite which imprinted itself in the area in the pattern of fall of trees, was caused by a flying meteorite breaking up at the end of its flight. The explosion was neither chemical nor nuclear, but thermal. The shock wave was also found to be a combination of spherical and ballistic waves. A model of the shock wave formed by the breaking up of the meteorite is described. This model was made to resemble the original one in order to determine the exact process of the meteorite breakup. The process of propagation of the model shock wave and the results of the experiment is analyzed. The shape of the wave established its origin as ballistic. It is concluded that while the hypothesis of the ballistic nature of the shock wave answers many questions, it cannot yet provide all the details on the Tungus explosion. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 03, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0683221
Entities
People
- I. T. Zotkin
- M. A. Tsikulin
Organizations
- National Air and Space Intelligence Center