meteor explosion

A meteor explosion occurs when a space rock, or meteor, enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed. The intense friction and compression of air cause it to heat up and glow, creating a bright streak known as a fireball. If the meteor is large enough, the pressure and heat can cause it to burst apart violently mid-air—a phenomenon called an airburst. This explosion releases a significant amount of energy, sometimes equivalent to a small nuclear explosion, producing shockwaves, bright flashes, and sometimes physical damage on the ground. Most small meteors disintegrate harmlessly before reaching Earth's surface.