Whether the world might come to an end one day is one of the biggest questions that grips humanity, yet no one has the definitive answer. Predictions have been made, but none have come to pass. From religion to science, the main pillars of society support the idea that the world could indeed meet its end in the near future.
Scientific Predictions
Scientific research has suggested that an asteroid impact could one day lead to Earth's downfall. One such asteroid, Apophis, initially had scientists alarmed when early predictions indicated it might collide with Earth in 2029. Although later assessments ruled out a direct impact, the threat posed by Apophis led to the development of planetary defense initiatives designed to protect Earth from extraterrestrial objects. If Apophis were to strike, the consequences would be catastrophic. Measuring 340 meters (1,115 feet) in diameter, its impact could release energy equivalent to 1,200 megatons of TNT—tens of thousands of times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. Such an event would devastate entire cities, trigger shock waves, cause intense heat, and spark widespread fires. If it struck the ocean, massive tsunamis could affect distant coastal regions. However, this level of destruction would remain regional and would not result in a planet-ending scenario. Asteroids can only scar the Earth's surface but lack the force to obliterate the planet.
Religious Predictions
Religions also offer their own visions of the end of the world, often involving divine intervention by a supreme being. In Christianity, this is portrayed as the "Second Coming" of Christ, where good and evil face final judgment, culminating in a new, eternal kingdom. In Islam, the arrival of the Mahdi and Isa (Jesus) heralds a similar reckoning, followed by a day of judgment. Hinduism describes a cyclical end, with the god Kalki restoring order by ending the age of darkness (Kali Yuga) and ushering in a new era.
Central to these beliefs is the notion that humanity’s actions—particularly its moral decline—trigger the apocalyptic event. For instance, many religious texts suggest that when humanity's evil surpasses a certain threshold, divine judgment will follow. The faithful will be rewarded, while evildoers will face eternal suffering. However, these predictions remain unverifiable, relying heavily on faith and subjective interpretations. This fails to acknowledge the existence of other beings that share this planet with us. It is one-sided, implying that the fate of the world rests solely on humans, which is untrue because we share the world with countless other species.
Humanity’s Capability to Destroy Earth
Beyond external threats, the question arises: could humanity itself destroy the Earth? While we possess the capability to cause immense destruction, completely annihilating the planet is far beyond our technological means. The world currently has around 13,000 nuclear warheads. Even if detonated simultaneously, these weapons would devastate ecosystems, trigger a global nuclear winter and possibly end human civilization. However, the Earth's physical structure would remain intact. The combined yield of all nuclear weapons is insufficient to vaporize or obliterate Earth's crust. At most, such an event would release enough dust and ash into the atmosphere to block sunlight, leading to crop failures and mass extinctions. This is a far cry from "destroying" the Earth as a planetary body.
Earth’s Resilience
Ultimately, Earth itself is far more resilient than we give it credit for. To destroy the planet entirely would require an enigmatic force capable of obliterating or moving planetary masses—something far beyond our current understanding or capabilities. What we know about Earth's past is based largely on assumptions and scientific models of events from millions of years ago. For now, humanity can rest assured: the Earth is here to stay. While we may face challenges and catastrophic events, the planet itself will endure long after we are gone.