Glassing: Difference between revisions
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The impact of the plasma bolt is similar to that of a nuclear detonation on a much different scale. When the plasma bolt impacts the surface, the magnetic field sustaining and guiding the plasma collapses, and, depending on how powerful the release of energy is, the initial zone of impact is obliterated instantly. The areas outside of the initial impact zone are affected by the heat wave generated by the blast; depending on the range, those closest outside of the blast zone are instantly killed by the intense heat. As thermal expansion takes over, the resulting flames fan out and create a pyroclastic surge<ref>[[wikipedia:Pyroclastic surge|'''Wikipedia'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s article on ''Pyroclastic Surge'']]</ref>, which will continue to burn the areas it comes into contact with until it has cooled enough that it cannot harm the surface. | The impact of the plasma bolt is similar to that of a nuclear detonation on a much different scale. When the plasma bolt impacts the surface, the magnetic field sustaining and guiding the plasma collapses, and, depending on how powerful the release of energy is, the initial zone of impact is obliterated instantly. The areas outside of the initial impact zone are affected by the heat wave generated by the blast; depending on the range, those closest outside of the blast zone are instantly killed by the intense heat. As thermal expansion takes over, the resulting flames fan out and create a pyroclastic surge<ref>[[wikipedia:Pyroclastic surge|'''Wikipedia'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s article on ''Pyroclastic Surge'']]</ref>, which will continue to burn the areas it comes into contact with until it has cooled enough that it cannot harm the surface. | ||
Subsequently, the atmosphere is | Subsequently, the atmosphere is saturated with soot and ash thrown up from the initial impact, subjecting the planet to a nuclear winter. As the initial impact area cools, the surface is covered by extensive areas of molten soil, and is comparable to active volcanic sites in some parts of the world, on a larger scale depending on the extent. The destructive process leaves the planet unable to recover to its former state. As a result of the destruction, the atmospheres of most planets have been known to boil away from the process<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', page 8</ref>, though not all planets suffered this, with the most notable exception being [[Reach]].{{clear}} | ||
[[File:Halo3 E3 TRAILER 2007 720p30 ST 6300Kbps 002 0001.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Two {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s perform a low range glassing of [[Voi]].]] | [[File:Halo3 E3 TRAILER 2007 720p30 ST 6300Kbps 002 0001.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Two {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s perform a low range glassing of [[Voi]].]] | ||
===Low range bombardment=== | ===Low range bombardment=== | ||
The second method is used when a ship must effectively destroy a ground target from low range. This method involves focusing plasma though a magnetic envelope from the [[Energy Projector|energy projector]] located on the underside of the ship, and then discharging the plasma as a narrow beam. This method of low-range glassing has only been witnessed a few times, most notably during the [[Harvest]] [[Harvest Campaign|campaign]] and the [[Operation: TORPEDO|Battle of]] [[Pegasi Delta]], as well as the glassing of [[New Mombasa]] and [[Voi]] during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref>'''[[Halo:Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''Prologue'', page 25</ref> This method of glassing can be used to excavate areas of interest for the Covenant, such as unearthing the [[The Artifact|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|the Ark]] during the Battle of Earth. | The second method is used when a ship must effectively destroy a ground target from low range. This method involves focusing plasma though a magnetic envelope from the [[Energy Projector|energy projector]] located on the underside of the ship, and then discharging the plasma as a narrow beam. This method of low-range glassing has only been witnessed a few times, most notably during the [[Harvest]] [[Harvest Campaign|campaign]] and the [[Operation: TORPEDO|Battle of]] [[Pegasi Delta]], as well as the glassing of [[New Mombasa]] and [[Voi]] during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref>'''[[Halo:Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''Prologue'', page 25</ref> This method of glassing can be used to excavate areas of interest for the Covenant, such as unearthing the [[The Artifact|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|the Ark]] during the Battle of Earth. | ||