Are we nearing to climax of the Climate Change or the worst is yet to come? How fast the wind gusts could be in worst case scenario? How high the water level could be in case of strongest of the hurricanes? Do we need to revisit the hurricane categories? What could be the most disastrous for our planet Earth among the following:
1. Near-Earth Ojects (asteroids)
2. Earthquakes associated with Tsunamis
3. Climate Change
Oh, these are fun questions!
For sure, a major impact from space would be the worst thing that could happen to humankind - this could be on the scale of a major nuclear war - all human existence could be wiped out. Climate change or earthquakes and tsunamis are real threats but are not to the existence of humankind on this planet on the scale that meteorites are.
Thanks Benni for the input!
I agree, but the frequency of stronger to strongest storms ( e.g., Micheal), Earthquakes (a recent one in Indonesia) and tsunamis compared to the asteroids hitting Earth (I guess the last one was Asteriod Almaha Sitta hit Sudan in 2008) is a matter of concern. They are simply devastating to humanity on a regular basis. Further, we can better predict and monitor NEOs movement than the happening of earthquakes as in case of Almaha Sitta.
Of course, if we get a large asteroid hitting the earth we are out! The Chichulux meteorite destroyed about 90% of the living forms and a long time had to pass before nature recovered to a new state. But, well, I think that is unlikely on the short time frame. Earthquakes and tsunamis are a large threath, but local effects, so it may result in high damages and deads, but in localized regions. Then comes global warming, which is global and thus has global consequences. We are already looking at more extreme tropical cyclones (debatable if they are result from global warming, but everyday seems more likely), heavy rain falls and droughts, as well as sea level rise. The effects are different around the globe and it will create very complex geopolitical situations. Imagine that Africa is hit by big droughts and famine increases, that would be a big humanitarian crisis. Now imagine the same happens in the US, well, goobye Mexico, they will probably take over! Ok, maybe I exagerate, but I want to make the point that global warming will create very complex escenarios we don't know yet but that may create situation we have not yet deal as human in modern times. For me, this is will be the most disastrous for humans... as for the earth, well, earth will manage and nature will continue its track whatever it is!
Christian M. Appendini thanks for your thoughts. Yeah, environmetal changes will increase the number of climate refugees to seek suitable place to migrate.
As far as the wind speed, nature has no upper limit (I think). Th more the power of a hurricane the stronger the wind. If we keep polluting the air, we make the sea warmer and then eventually the wind stronger.
So it is up to us to change our ways.
Michael Issigonis thanks for your input. Yes, we have to change our ways for a better future.
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