SPLITTING PROCESS OF SIKHOTE-ALINIAN METEORITE IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERN FRACTURE-MECHANICS

The calculation results of Sikhote-Alinian meteorite interaction with the Earth atmosphere are presented. There are shown that the process o f meteorite fragmentation is divided in space and time into four conse cutive steps. It is found that after termination of fragmentation the ''pumping'' of the largest part of the meteorite energy into a shock w ave took place due to intensive deceleration of the meteorite fragment s swarm. At certain height the intensity of ''pumping'' of energy reac hes me peak that can cause the effect of the meteorite explosion. The calculation results am in a good agreement with the actual data.