The incredible scenarios of the end of the world (1/6) – The stars are far from the peaceful and sparkling glitter of lights that populate our summer sky: everywhere in the universe, they are born, die and merge. And if one of them had the idea of doing it in our neighborhood, the consequences for life on earth would be dramatic …
No one saw him coming. It was enough for a fraction of a second so that everything changes. A sudden flash of gamma rays struck the atmosphere, instantly raising the temperature of several degrees on a whole hemisphere of the earth. All global atmospheric circulation was immediately turned upside down, triggering exceptional weather events. Overnight, humanity was faced with the consequences it expected from global warming, but that it imagined taking place over several centuries.
To this was added the disappearance of the ozone layer: by ionizing the high atmosphere, the gamma rays caused the formation of nitrogen oxides which destroyed the ozone molecules. All of life on earth was directly exposed to UV sun radiation and its destructive effects on DNA. Only the underwater species have been spared, but the death of phytoplankton on the surface still upset the trophic chain. Humanity had to take refuge underground and resolve to live at night. More than 90 % of species did not have time to adapt and disappeared.
At the origin of the disaster, an extremely rare astronomical event …
This article is reserved for subscribers. You have 78% to discover.
Do you want to read more?
Unlock all the items immediately.
Already subscribed? Connect
