NASA has successfully developed a program to divert asteroids away from Earth, to prevent catastrophic collisions like the one that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs millions of years ago. But how should humans act if NASA fails at some point? Scientists and researchers are tirelessly working to provide guidelines to help humanity survive such a disaster.
The first step would be to destroy the asteroid before it's too late or to redirect it. NASA successfully tested the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in 2022, which achieved great success. If NASA fails to deflect the massive space rocks, experts say the best next option is to leave the impact zone and move away from coastal areas. Given that Earth is covered by 71 percent water, there is a greater likelihood of the asteroid falling into the ocean.
When this happens, the impact will create massive tsunami waves that will engulf all nearby land. An earthquake measuring 9.1 occurred underwater off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. This earthquake caused a powerful tsunami that led to the collapse of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate the area. Official figures released in 2021 reported 19,747 deaths, 6,242 injuries, and 2,556 missing persons. The tsunami waves resulting from an asteroid impact would be far more destructive than that.
When an asteroid strikes, it releases dust, debris, and even toxic gases that may remain in the atmosphere for years, or even decades. Scientists believe the safest place to be is in an underground shelter, as reported by the British newspaper "Daily Mail."
Constructing underground shelters can be expensive, ranging from $20,000 to over $1 million, making them more of a luxury than a necessity. Scientists emphasize the importance of staying in the shelter until it is confirmed that the external environment is safe. This can be done by constantly monitoring the outside air to ensure levels are normal, confirming that fires and floods have receded, and ensuring that acid rain is not falling from the sky.
