Holy shit......

[snowywolfowl]

Those are the words I'd be screaming if I was in this Russian's car. Apparently this was a small meteor that caused this much damage. Reports on casualties are varying from 150 to 500 injured but thankfully so far I haven't read of any deaths.

Here's some video of this. All I can say is I'm so glad this wasn't Tunguska II. If it had of been the effect would have been equivalent to a nuclear explosion instead of just breaking windows, setting of car alarms, and collapsing building roofs.

For more information, pics, video and more informed commentary than I can provide check out this link. I think he does a pretty good job breaking the event down, especially pointing out that this meteor probably isn't part of the close approach later today.
http://mobile.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/02/15/breaking_huge_meteor_explodes_over_russia.html

Comments

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

Was there a sonic boom in this video? I couldn't hear it for the grotty music! What really impressed me, though, was the driver's recklessness. I'm glad it was not a catastrophic event.

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

If you check some of the videos in the link there are a few with the sonic boom, including one where the windows explode immediately after. Frankly I'm not surprised that many people were hurt given the amount of glass that must have been flying around.

As for the car videos I'm really surprised how laid back the drivers seem to be. The video I would have shot would have been full of "Oh %^%$%$!!!!!!! WHAT IS THAT!?!", especially since the only things I know of that would probably get as bright as the sun are a nuclear warhead or a meteor. So definitely with you on the glad it wasn't a catastrophic hit.

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

I think the Onion said it best:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/more-than-1000-russians-injured-in-freaking-cooles,31321/

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

Does it make me a bad...er person to admit I imagined Neil deGrasse-Tyson reading that?

Yeah, I know I'm going to some horrible flaming pit in Turkmenistan. Hey, at least I learned something new from this meteor strike that was completely unrelated. Isn't science wonderful! :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door_to_Hell

[bonnie-halfelvn.livejournal.com]

This was pretty amazing!