What do you think about the meteorite impact in Peru and the "Peru Impact Sickness Syndrome"?

Question

100ft wide and 20ft deep

Answer 1

Due to the speed of contraction I would expect the problem is chemical (toxins) rather than disease (microbes).

The suggestion that the gases are the result of underground volcanic materials is one possibility but so is the possibility that the effect is the result of a combination of the material of the meteor, its energy of impact together with the material where it hit.

The third possibility is that the meteor itself contains toxic materials.

BTW there is a fourth possibility, that is that this is an all too human "hysterical response." Just like we experience a placebo effect sometimes humans can become sick by fear and mass hysteria.

Answer 2

The scientists were quick to dismiss the illness as psychosomatic. What Sci-Fi script would have it otherwise? The idea of a meteorite which stinks to high heaven is fascinating because it is unexpected. Whether it was the meteorite or something in the impact, I would lay odds it was not psychosomatic. The fact the entering meteorite makes a loud noise like sanding is also a surprise.

Answer 3

I'd say Benoit, just because it was so shocking to hear about how he died. I would have never guessed that he could ever do something like that. This is a guy that I had watched wrestle for about 10+ years (since I saw him in WCW) and out of the blue, he up and kills his family and commits suicide? The 3 hour tribute they did to him and the realization the day after of what actually happened just compounded it. I was just in awe of what he did. It's also weird that Brian Pillman and Eddie Guerrero both died in the Twin Cities, where I am from. I think Vince is afraid to bring his show here because of that.

Answer 4

Anybody ever read "Monster", the novel from Cristopher Pike?
It talks about 2 meteorites that contaminates water, makes people sick and turns them into monsters. This short version makes it seem crap but it was a really good book, mind you, I read it when I was 13.
However, funny thing, one of the two lakes was in Peru, if I'm not mistaken.

If somebody is looking for me, I'm packing my guns and some dynamite.

Answer 5

I suspect the meteorite either contained within itself some type of noxious gas like a chloride or chlorine or combined, upon fiery impact with other earth elements to produce a noxious gas. All suspicions, no facts at this point, this would however be my first suspicion.

Lee G.
Richmond, Virginia

Answer 6

The inhabitants of a far distant planet have destroyed their planet home by polluting it beyond repair. Plagues have wiped out much of their population. The few desparate surviving inhabitants discovered Earth has everything they need to surive. They can't fight for the right to settle here, so have sent a deadly virus imbedded in a rock formation we will see as just another meteorite. Their virus is slow spreading, so as not to cause panic and allow plenty of time for it to eventually infect all humans. There is no antidote. The virus dies with its host, so within a decade Earth will be human free, whilst fauna and flora flourish. The pollution we have caused will gradually fade whilst the new settlers ready themselves for the journey to their new home, Earth.

Answer 7

Have u think of an another species came from far far away. Other galaxie/planet? This can be a unidentified life form that can take possession of a human body in case to find a hide-out and think about killing human race. Maybe it's superman that fallout of the sky?

Answer 8

Here's a video & link from MSNBC below. They think the meteorite's compounds mixed with ground water to emit noxious fumes.

Answer 9

References to sulfurous smells and boiling hot water indicate to me that the area is geologically active. The impact probably exposed the villagers either to sulfurous compounds that would make anybody sick, or bacteria that normally live underground.

The likelihood that the sickness originated on the meteorite is essentially nil.

Answer 10

WOW!!

Fascinating or what? Here is the link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070918/sc_afp/peruhealthoffbeat

Doesn't say too much will but I will be following this one



EDIT ADD here's another link with picture

http://forgetomori.com/2007/science/meteorite-makes-30-meter-crater-in-peru/

It's a great picture but heed the website's name. ie alarmists