Scientists analyze existential risks from asteroids and supervolcanoes

Researchers are highlighting different types of existential threats to Earth, ranging from asteroid impacts to supervolcano eruptions.

A simulation published in The Planetary Science Journal by a team from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory suggests that a nuclear detonation near a 160-meter asteroid could potentially damage or disrupt the body. The study notes that in the vacuum of space, a nuclear explosion does not rely on a shockwave but instead releases approximately 70–80% of its energy as X-rays, which could impact the asteroid.

Separately, scientists from the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk warn that while supervolcanoes do not pose an immediate threat, their potential impact is severe. An eruption could eject massive amounts of sulfur and dust into the atmosphere, reflecting solar radiation and causing years of global cooling, crop failures, and supply chain disruptions. The researchers emphasize that global civilization currently lacks a comprehensive plan to manage the resulting agricultural and economic instability.