Unfortunately, the film's writers didn't realize that it would take a lot more carbon to react with and remove all the oxygen from the earth's atmosphere. There is 1000s of times more oxygen in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, a little bit of methane isn't going to change that ratio too much.
If the digital effects weren't so cheap, I'd say it would otherwise be a half-decent made-for-tv style movie.
[deleted]
millipj
6% out of 20%(all the oxygen of the atmosphere) it's a very big deal.I think suffocation would be possible.
The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea reference is exactly what I was thinking!
Although the effects of the sky on fire weren't half bad in that movie!
But my favorite part was the discussion of the temperature where the Van Allen belt would burn itself out.
Dr Zucco declares the belt will burn out at 173 degrees, which I have to assume is the ground temp, but why would the temp be the same around the world? Different altitudes would make for different temperatures even with the belt blazing away wouldn't they?
I like to use Voyage as the benchmark for goofy science movies, no matter how ill conceived the science may be, at least Irwin made Voyage entertaining and watchable all the way through.
As disturbed as I am to admit this.
The science isn't actually THAT unfounded.
First, the atmosphere is more like only 1 percent other gases, but still any increase could be catostrophic (sorry if I spelled that wrong).
As far a suffication goes, it could be a possibility if in fact the atmosphere changed that significantly. Lets say that we did loose 6% O2...that would put us around 14 or 15 percent at sea level. This level is considered the beginnings of unsafe levels...if you go to higher altitudes that already have lower oxygen levels, you have a higher risk of hypoxia or altitude sickness. (Basically, people would be suseptable to high altitude sickness at lower altitudes.)
Now, I believe methane is "lighter" than our normal atmosphere mixture and could pocket at hight altitudes. If solar flares were significant enough, and the earth was aligned just right for the flares to direct hit through the weaker points in the ozone, then an ignition of methane pockets is possible. I don't know if it could be enough to fry the earth, but who knows.
Also, these theories aren't completely unheard of. There is a strong scientific support that global warming is actually a natural phenomenon. Some scientist believe that the extinction of the dinosaurs could be due to this, this included the theory that the atmosphere had increased methan levels (from extreme and extensive volcanic eruptions). There is a theory out there that millions of years ago, the atmosphere could have have less than half the current levels of oxygen (i.e. 10%).
Ok, I'll stop with my science geek-ness. I have to admit, I love cheesy sci-fi movies...you just have to take everything with a grain of salt. Now...the aerospace portion of the move...don't get me started on that...
Even blockbusters have bad science...Armageddon is a perfect example...forget about the theories with the asteroid...they blew the science before getting off the ground.
Just Remember some the idiots here think if the stupid bible did not say it could happen then can't happen. Just Think about 2012 facts that could & may happen.
shareWow. Its remarkable how unattended this movie's IMBD site has been - [NOT]
Oh, and its 2013 and seems the Mayans just ran out of rock, or something, as we are still here.
Whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. How strong are you?
Agreed. The science is terribly wrong. The writers used up their artistic license with their lack of story development-- and further tried to make sh*t smell like a flower by using illegitimate "science" to explain a stupid story. First of all, IF such a thing could happen, the radiation from the sun combined with the idea that the sky is burning would literally cook the surface of the planet in a nuclear inferno before we even have the chance to suffocate. I'm all for science fiction-- but you still need the science to have enjoyable fiction.
shareHave you ever seen a Sci Fi Channel movie that was possible?
shareMethane is a light gas oxygen is heavier. For the methane to ignite you must have oxygen and heat. There is not enough oxygen upper earth's atmosphere to ignite methane no matter how much there is. On the earth's suface methane (Natural Gas) will ignite between 5% and 15% concentration. Can't happen not even remotely possible. But I watch movies to be entertained and I was almost entertained by this one.
share Jesus H! If you want reality, watch the Discovery Channel or something... otherwise, just go with the flow and let yourself be entertained... movies are movies... they don't have to be based in reality... or even real facts... I thought the movie was pretty good... it entertained me and that's about ALL I ask from a movie... 'specially on the Sci-Fi channel!
...Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he doesn't become a monster...
Thank you so much for finally saying it. I don't believe that a mega earthquake is going to split the country in half anytime soon, but I had fun watching the really bad movie about it.
I love Syfy's bad doomsday movies. They're fun to watch.
If you guys want real science driven doomsday shows, watch Mega Disasters.
The funny thing about doing nothing is you're never quite sure when you're finished.
LOL... you wouldn't be referring to 10.5, would you?
... the hardest thing in this world is to live in it...