Chesley Bonestell (American, 1888-1986) The Great Siberian Explosion of 1908, 1977 Oil on board 16 x 20 inches (40.6 x 50.8 cm) Signed lower left: Chesley Bonestell The Great Siberian Explosion of 1908, also known as the Tunguska Event, was a massive explosion that occurred on June 30, 1908 in Siberia, Russia. The blast flattened around 2,000 square kilometers of forest, equivalent to an area larger than a major city, and released energy comparable to 10 to 15 megatons of TNT. While no impact crater was found, it is widely believed that the explosion was caused by the airburst of a large meteor or comet fragment that disintegrated before reaching the ground. The event remains the largest impact-related explosion in recorded history and has intrigued scientists and researchers for decades. Here, Chesley Bonestell captures this mysterious event and intriguing theory with drama and clarity -- visually explaining the complex history of earth's geology with a single image. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved