Cosmic impacts have been a major and
continuing part of Earth's history. Very large impacts have created continents,
as well as major extinctions. Smaller, but significant impacts have led to
minor extinctions and vast local or regional damage.
The geological history of the earth is
usually told without much emphasis on these cosmic impacts that have created so
many of the Earth's features and have changed the evolutionary path of life on
the planet on a continuing basis. It is time for this to change.
The study of cosmic impacts and their
effects should be given primary attention when studying and modeling the
geological and evolutionary history of the Earth.
Furthermore, we need to recognize the
incredibly important role that our modern society will play in the future
environmental history of the world
a role that will free the earth from
the only two sure disasters that would otherwise befall the planet without our
help (cosmic impacts and hotspot volcanism).
Without the continuously improving
technology of a robust modern society, the Earth is a disaster waiting to
happen. |