Tiny but massive strange quarks passing through the Earth

A group of researchers have identified two seismic events that they think provide the first evidence of a previously undetected form of matter passing through the Earth. The so-called strange quark matter is so dense that a piece the size of a human cell would weigh a tonne.

Such a piece, traveling through the Earth at 400 km/second, would release energy equivalent to that of a 50 kiloton bomb -- though the release would be spread out over the entirely of its track through the planet. Still, probably wouldn't want one to pass through your bedroom.

Posted by David on November 22, 2002 8:43 PM