S5 - Detritus of Earth

detritus [dɪˈtraɪtəs]

n

1. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) a loose mass of stones, silt, etc., worn away from rocks

2. an accumulation of disintegrated material or debris

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the organic debris formed from the decay of organisms

[from French détritus, from Latin dētrītus a rubbing away; see detriment]

detrital adj

Earth is hit by a very large asteroid and the planet fractures and explodes, turning into an area of asteroids that will slowly begin to drift apart. The moon would probably drift away as the earth's gravity dissipates, maybe taking some parts of the earth with it. Possibly for a time a asteroid bridge between the bulk of the earth's remains and the moon would exist, slowly stretching out as the moon moves further and further away. The remains of the earth would also begin to scatter, drifting away from its original orbit and beginning the start of a new asteroid belt. Larger masses might remain that will have sufficient gravity to maybe start a new planet's formation, or maybe the moon will become the core of a new world, but that is a long, long way away. Humanity is unlikely to survive but maybe some do, certainly they would see the event coming and maybe prepare for it. Most likely the survivors will be on the moon, or in space platforms sufficiently far away from the doomed planet. The detritus of earth will remain for the Mechanoids however.