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More About the Torino Scale More About Asteroid and Comet Impact Hazards (NASA Site)

WhatOnEarth.com presents... The Torino Scale
As we enter the new millennium, the Torino Scale is Earth's new way to gauge the potential damage that may occur in the event of an impact from asteroids or other objects from space. As the Richter Scale measures the strength and potential damage from earth quakes, the Torino Scale will now be used to measure the potential for damage from objects striking Earth.

Be sure to BOOKMARK this Site!!! You will likely want to reference this information again, and use this site as a starting point for asteroid, meteor and other space information!

"What I find especially important about the Torino impact scale is that it comes in time to meet future needs as the rate of discoveries of Near-Earth Objects continues to increase."

Dr. Hans Rickman, IAU Assistant General Secretary.

White Zone: Events Having No Likely Consequences
0 The likelihood of a collision is zero, or well below the chance that a random object of the same size will strike the Earth within the next few decades. This designation also applies to any small object that, in the event of a collision, is unlikely to reach the Earth's surface intact.
Green Zone: Events Meriting Careful Monitoring
1 The chance of collision is extremely unlikely, about the same as a random object of the same size striking the Earth within the next few decades.
Yellow Zone: Events Meriting Concern
2 A somewhat close, but not unusual encounter. Collision is very unlikely.
3 A close encounter, with 1% or greater chance of a collision capable of causing localized destruction.
4 A close encounter, with 1% or greater chance of a collision capable of causing regional devastation.
Orange Zone: Threatening Events
5 A close encounter, with a significant threat of a collision capable of causing regional devastation.
6 A close encounter, with a significant threat of a collision capable of causing a global catastrophe.
7 A close encounter, with an extremely significant threat of a collision capable of causing a global catastrophe.
Red Zone: Certain Collisions
8 A collision capable of causing localized destruction. Such events occur somewhere on Earth between once per 50 years and once per 1000 years.
9 A collision capable of causing regional devastation. Such events occur between once per 1000 years and once per 100,000 years.
10 A collision capable of causing a global climatic catastrophe. Such events occur once per 100,000 years, or less often.