Finding the Location of Severe Damage

At different distances away from the impact two different types of impact effects are predicted

  • Seismic energy: Asteroid impacts produce earthquakes. This damage is due to the energy that travels along the surface of the Earth, and is expressed as a Richter magnitude.
  • Air blast pressure: Asteroid impacts produce a shock wave that moves through the air. This damage is due to the shock wave hitting structures or objects, and is expressed as a pressure in pascals (Pa).

You may select distances up to 20,000,000 meters away, which is on the other side of Earth opposite the impact.

Asteroid Impact Properties

Asteroid Name3200 Phaeton
Asteroid Kinetic Energy
Crater Diameter
Crater Depth

Seismic Energy and Effects

Richter MagnitudeEarthquake RatingEarthquake Effects
Less than 2.0MicroNormally only detected by seismograms. Most people cannot feel it.
2.0 - 2.9MinorA few people feel it. No building damage.
3.0 - 3.9MinorIndoor objects can be seen shaking.
4.0 - 4.9LightMost people feel it. Indoor objects shake or fall to floor.
5.0 - 5.9ModerateEveryone feels it. Can damage or destroy buildings not designed to withstand earthquakes.
6.0 - 6.9StrongSome building damage to Earthquake-resistant structures. Felt hundreds of miles from epicenter.
7.0 - 7.9MajorWidespread damage in areas up to 150 miles from epicenter
8.0 - 8.9GreatFelt over a very large region. Widespread damage in large areas and structures such as bridges are destroyed.
9.0 - 9.9GreatSevere damage or destruction of most buildings and structures. Permanent changes to the ground surface.
10MassiveNever recorded.