2 October 2007 32 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

A week or so ago we covered a story about a series of illnesses apparently caused by a meteor impact. A follow up report by how stuff works sheds some light on what really happened.

It turns out that it was not some alien space flu that was released on impact, nor was it radiation. Unfortunately the real cause of the sickness was not determined before various websites had whipped out all sorts of wild theories involving space craft and radioactive spy satellites. However, it turned series of coincidental events and some contaminated ground water.

Six days after the initial event, scientists from Peru’s Mining, Metallurgy and Geology Institute confirmed that a meteorite did crash in the area and that the impact stirred up arsenic fumes. Tests confirmed that groundwater in the area was contaminated with arsenic. The explosion sent up some of the arsenic in the form of gas, making people sick. (In some parts of Peru, the soil and groundwater contain natural arsenic deposits.)

Despite initial concerns, those who became sick improved after several days. Peruvian health workers reported that they treated about 200 residents for various symptoms, none especially severe [source: Living in Peru]. The hundreds of people who claimed they felt ill may have been suffering from a psychosomatic reaction. Some of the local residents said they thought that the loud roaring noise they heard and the subsequent explosion were the sounds of Chilean military forces launching an attack. The stress and mysterious nature of the event could have provoked physical symptoms, even without a physical cause.

Its interesting to read about all the science involved in this sort of thing, it also makes you realized that we really don’t know a lot about what actually happens during impact of such meteoritics. The size of the meteorite, its composition and surrounding environment can all influence the impact.

[via how stuff works]