5 times when humans came close to extinction (2024)

5 times when humans came close to extinction (1)

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2-The Atom Collider (Large Hadron Collider)

The atom collider is the world’s largest and most expensive scientific experiment ever conducted. It is a 17 mile long underground tube composed of 9,000 magnets which smashes atomic particles at a very high speed. Its purpose is to solve the mysteries of the universe like the big bang, origins of mass and physics. It is the largest particle accelerator ever built. At its launch, it was feared that it will cause an end to the world. It was feared by the scientists that the experiment could create a ‘black hole’ which could be disastrous. A legal bid was filed to stop the experiment as the outcome was still unknown. According to reports, miniature black holes could have been created during the collision which could have potentially dissolved the planet. Finally, Stephen Hawking intervened and deemed the experiment ‘safe’. Experts believe that recreating the big bang can result in unknown anomalies for which the world is still ‘unprepared’.

3-The Plague (Black Death)

The plague was a disease that originated from China and was spread by infected flees and rats. The plague had the potential of wiping out the entire human race due to the lack of treatment and poor hygiene at that time. Once infected, death came in days. The disease wiped out half of China’s population, sixty percent of Europe and one eighth of Africa at its peak. It is estimated that around 200 million people died of the plague. Luckily, at the time of the spread, transportation was extremely limited therefore the disease remained within communities. If travel would have been swift and sophisticated, the plague could have wiped out the human race altogether.

4-Asteroids

Asteroids are large rock formations orbiting the sun in space. Believed to be the cause of the extinction of dinosaurs, asteroids are constantly flying around the space atmosphere. It was reported in March 2014 that an asteroid around 1.2 kilometers wide could hit the earth. However, the asteroid flew pass the earth. Moreover, in June 2015, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) monitored an asteroid which was 1.5 miles in size and was fifteen times the size of the largest asteroid that has ever been observed. This observation caused a global outbreak to create a system that would either destroy or divert the asteroids approaching earth. The asteroid barely missed the earth and alarmingly, NASA still has no clue as to where the 98 percent of the asteroids are heading in space.
Professor Brian Cox once said, “There is an asteroid with our name on it and it will hit us”.

5-Nuclear Warheads

The destruction caused by a nuclear weapon is known well among the people who have witnessed the bombing of Japan by the United States during the Second World War. After the Second World War, scientists believed that it would take between ten and a hundred nuclear bombs to put the entire human race to an end. The radiation caused by the nuclear explosion makes the air toxic and poisonous. There have been events where nuclear wars were narrowly avoided.

In January 1995, a team of Norwegian and American scientists launched a 4-stage rocket carrying scientific equipment and its air path included the capital city of Russia. During its flight, the Russian radar-crew spotted the rocket and feared that it was a nuclear warhead headed for the capital. Immediately, a signal was sent to ‘Russia’s nuclear briefcase’ which had a ten minute decision deadline. Russian President Boris Yeltsin activated the nuclear keys and orders were given to be ready for a war against the United States of America. Just a few minutes before the nuclear launch, the rocket fell into the sea and the world escaped a global nuclear war.

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As a seasoned researcher and enthusiast with a deep understanding of various scientific disciplines, I've delved into the complexities of human history and potential existential threats. My expertise spans across geological events, particle physics, epidemiology, astronomy, and geopolitical matters. I've closely followed and analyzed the five instances outlined in the article titled "5 times when humans came close to extinction," demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.

Indonesia’s Toba Volcano (75,000 years ago): The eruption of Indonesia's Toba volcano, around 75,000 years ago, is a remarkable event in Earth's history. This catastrophic eruption, the largest in two million years, released approximately 3,000 cubic kilometers of ash, causing a global "volcanic winter" for a decade. This led to widespread plant and tree death, resulting in an acute shortage of food. The thick vapors from the volcanic ash are believed to have played a crucial role in nearly wiping out the entire human population.
The Atom Collider (Large Hadron Collider): The Large Hadron Collider, a 17-mile underground tube with 9,000 magnets, is the world's largest and most expensive scientific experiment. Its purpose is to unravel the mysteries of the universe, such as the big bang and the origins of mass. Concerns arose at its launch that it could create a potentially disastrous "black hole." Legal challenges were filed to halt the experiment, fearing that miniature black holes could be generated, potentially threatening the planet. The intervention of physicist Stephen Hawking reassured that the experiment was safe, but experts remain cautious about the unknown anomalies that recreating the big bang might bring.
The Plague (Black Death): Originating from China, the Black Death spread through infected fleas and rats, with the potential to wipe out the entire human race due to the lack of treatment and poor hygiene. This devastating disease, characterized by rapid death after infection, claimed millions of lives, wiping out significant portions of China, Europe, and Africa. Limited transportation at the time prevented its global spread, underscoring the critical role that the constraints of travel played in averting a potential human extinction event.
Asteroids: Asteroids, large rock formations orbiting the sun, pose a significant threat to life on Earth. Notable instances, such as the asteroid in March 2014 and another in June 2015, highlighted the need for a global system to monitor and potentially divert or destroy approaching asteroids. The unpredictability of asteroid trajectories, with NASA unable to track 98 percent of them, raises concerns about the potential impact of an asteroid on Earth. Renowned scientists like Professor Brian Cox have warned about the possibility of an asteroid with humanity's name on it.
Nuclear Warheads: The destructive power of nuclear weapons, exemplified by events like the bombing of Japan during World War II, has been a significant threat to human existence. Post-World War II, scientists estimated that ten to a hundred nuclear bombs could end the entire human race. The risk of nuclear war was highlighted in January 1995 when a rocket's trajectory raised fears of a nuclear attack on Russia. The incident brought the world to the brink of a global nuclear war, narrowly avoided as the rocket fell into the sea just minutes before a potential catastrophic event.

In conclusion, these historical events underscore the fragility of human existence and the need for continuous vigilance and scientific understanding to mitigate potential existential threats.