Explores the anticipated consequences of comet and asteroid impact. This book presents the first computer simulations of the hazards of comet and asteroid bombardment of a populated Earth. It gives a realistic assessment of both the mean casualty rate and the expected statistical fluctuations in that rate.

It includes features such as: a quantitatively rigorous treatment of the state of impact hazard prediction, including structural blast damage, firestorm ignition, tsunami generation; a realistic treatment of the impact on population, composition, and orbits; attention to economic and public policy issues of warning, interdiction, and asteroid and comet search strategies; comparison of simulation results to historical records; and, detailed and realistic. It includes the Monte Carlo simulation software.

Preface.Introduction. The Impact Flux. The Impactor. The Impact Process. The Target. Method of Calculation. Results. Implications for Hazard Assessment and Abatement. Areas Requiring Further Study. Conclusions. References. Appendix A: Program HAZARDS Version 5.5 Owner's Manual. Appendix B: Program HAZARDS Version 5.5 Program Listing. Appendix C: Program HAZARDS Version 5.5 Sample Output. References. Index.