Impact eventCollision of two astronomical objectsDamage to trees caused by the Tunguska event. The object, just 50–80 metres (160–260 ft) across, exploded 6–10 km (3.7–6.2 mi) above the surface, shattering windows hundreds of kilometres away.An impact event is a collision between astronomical objects causing measurable effects.Speculative fictionSpeculative fiction is an umbrella genre of fiction that encompasses all the subgenres that depart from realism, or strictly imitating everyday reality, instead presenting fantastical, supernatural, futuristic, or other highly imaginative realms or beings.
Nuclear holocaustA nuclear holocaust, also known as a nuclear apocalypse, nuclear annihilation, nuclear armageddon, or atomic holocaust, is a theoretical scenario where the mass detonation of nuclear weapons causes widespread destruction and radioactive fallout, with global consequences.
2012 phenomenonEschatological beliefs about the yearA date inscription in the Maya Long Count on the east side of Stela C from Quirigua showing the date for the last Creation. It is read as 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ahau 8 Kumku and is usually correlated as 11 or 13 August, 3114 BC on the Proleptic Gregorian calendar. The date of 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ahau 3 Kʼankʼin is usually correlated as 21 or 23 December 2012.
EschatologyEschatology ( ; from Ancient Greek ἔσχατος (éskhatos) 'last' and -logy) concerns expectations of the end of the present age, human history, or the world itself. The end of the world or end times is predicted by several world religions, which teach that negative world events will reach a climax. Belief that the end of the world is imminent is known as apocalypticism, and over time has been held both by members of mainstream religions and by doomsday cults.
Second ComingThe Second Coming (sometimes called the Second Advent or the Parousia) is the Christian and Islamic belief that Jesus Christ will return to Earth after his ascension to Heaven (the Ascension is said to have occurred about two thousand years ago). The idea is based on messianic prophecies and is part of most Christian eschatologies. In Islamic eschatology, Jesus (ʿĪsā ibn Maryam) is also believed to return in the end times.
Global catastrophe scenariosScenarios in which a global catastrophic risk creates harm have been widely discussed. Some sources of catastrophic risk are anthropogenic (caused by humans), such as global warming, environmental degradation, and nuclear war. Others are non-anthropogenic or natural, such as meteor impacts or supervolcanoes. The impact of these scenarios can vary widely, depending on the cause and the severity of the event, ranging from temporary economic disruption to human extinction.
Last JudgmentThe Last Judgment is a concept originating in Zoroastrianism and found across the Abrahamic religions. Christianity considers the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to entail the final judgment by God of all people who have ever lived, resulting in the salvation of a few and the damnation of many. Some Christian denominations believe most people will be saved, some believe most people will be damned, and some believe the number of the saved and of the damned is unknown.
PandemicWidespread, often global, epidemic of severe infectious diseaseEarly in the COVID-19 pandemic, convention centers (pictured here) were deemed to be ideal sites for temporary hospitals, due to their existing infrastructure (electrical, water, sewage).
Resource depletionDepletion of natural organic and inorganic resourcesTar sands in Alberta, 2008. Oil is one of the most used resources by humans.Resource depletion occurs when a natural resource is consumed faster than it can be replenished. The value of a resource depends on its availability in nature and the cost of extracting it. By the economic law of supply and demand, the scarcer the resource the more valuable it becomes.GenreGenre ( ZHAHN-rə; French for 'kind, sort') is any style or form of communication and art in any mode (written, spoken, digital, visual, auditory, etc.) with socially agreed-upon elements, or conventions, developed over time.Runaway greenhouse effectA runaway greenhouse effect occurs when a planet's atmosphere contains greenhouse gas in an amount sufficient to block thermal radiation from leaving the planet, preventing the planet from cooling and from having liquid water on its surface.
recrudescentRelated word or term.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.