While we all know now that it is possible for fairly small objects to retain
supersonic velocity all the way to the ground (at least, if the "ground" in
question is very high above sea level), it is clear that such events are
rare, to say the least. Certainly, simulations suggest that objects sized at
tens of meters impacting the ocean at hypervelocity can produce tsunamis.
But realistically, a 10 meter object that was moving at hypervelocity all
the way to the sea, and near shore, would have produced a massive fireball,
rivaling the Sun, would have left a long lasting dust debris train, and
would have been witnessed by thousands of people.
I'm certainly not saying that it's impossible for there to have been a huge
meteorite impact that produced a tsunami, but I do think it is safe to say
that the likelihood is extremely small, especially given that sporadic waves
like the one you describe are known to occur, and are generally understood
without needing to invoke impacts.
Chris
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Galactic Stone and Ironworks" <meteoritem...@gmail.com>
To: "Chris Peterson" <c...@alumni.caltech.edu>
Cc: <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 11:17 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorite Caused the Daytona Beach Rogue Wave
in1992?
Hi Chris and List,
I agree. As the eyewitness account reads, it's impossible for such an
object to create a large wave. However, if the account was in error
about the size of the object, then perhaps it becomes a little more
possible.
What about the velocity of the object? Let us suppose that it
retained a good bit of it's cosmic velocity when it struck the water.
Would an object about 10-30 feet in diameter, travelling at a high
rate of speed (say, 1km per second), generate a large wave? I would
think that the speed at impact would play a role in the effects once
it hit the water.
I think the underwater landslide theory is more plausible. I was just
surprised to see an account about a "meteorite" in this story.
Best regards,
MikeG
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