Episode
Could a City Survive an Asteroid?!
- Published
- Jun 16, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3873
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Summary
It’s the kind of disaster usually reserved for science fiction—but what if it actually happened? In this episode, we explore the terrifying possibility of an asteroid striking near or directly into a major city. Using real-world science and historical impacts as our guide, we examine what determines whether a city survives or is devastated. How powerful would the impact be? Could modern technology detect the asteroid in time? And what defenses does humanity have against a threat from space? From shockwaves and firestorms to evacuation plans and planetary defense systems, we break down the physics, the risks, and the odds of one of nature’s most catastrophic events. Because while asteroids helped shape Earth’s past… one could also shape its future. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support .