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Typically, when fleet actions require no deployment of ground forces, the Covenant will glass the planet from orbit; this is accomplished by their larger warships gathering close together, aiming their plasma batteries, located along the lateral lines of their warships towards the surface and firing them.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 8'' (2001 edition); ''page 22'' (2010 edition)</ref> Once discharged, the plasma rounds are guided towards the surface, contained in a magnetic bubble and controlled by the ships automation through miles of atmospheric interference until it strikes its intended target. Resembling gigantic fireballs,<ref name="strike2">'''Halo: First Strike''' ''page 32, 46''</ref> these plasma lances are a hundred meters across,<ref name="strike2"/> and strike the surface with tremendous speed and force. | Typically, when fleet actions require no deployment of ground forces, the Covenant will glass the planet from orbit; this is accomplished by their larger warships gathering close together, aiming their plasma batteries, located along the lateral lines of their warships towards the surface and firing them.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 8'' (2001 edition); ''page 22'' (2010 edition)</ref> Once discharged, the plasma rounds are guided towards the surface, contained in a magnetic bubble and controlled by the ships automation through miles of atmospheric interference until it strikes its intended target. Resembling gigantic fireballs,<ref name="strike2">'''Halo: First Strike''' ''page 32, 46''</ref> these plasma lances are a hundred meters across,<ref name="strike2"/> and strike the surface with tremendous speed and force. | ||
The impact of the plasma lance is similar to that of a nuclear detonation, though 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. The topsoil in the impact zone and other surface geology become molten and are converted into a mineral called [[lechatelierite]], which is similar to glass. The surrounding areas are blasted with intense heat and are burned.<ref name="Scar">'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Return", ''page 505''</ref> The blast is accompanied by intense radiation, measured in tens of millions of [[Wikipedia:Roentgen (unit)|roentgens]].<ref name="hr na">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ | The impact of the plasma lance is similar to that of a nuclear detonation, though 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. The topsoil in the impact zone and other surface geology become molten and are converted into a mineral called [[lechatelierite]], which is similar to glass. The surrounding areas are blasted with intense heat and are burned.<ref name="Scar">'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Return", ''page 505''</ref> The blast is accompanied by intense radiation, measured in tens of millions of [[Wikipedia:Roentgen (unit)|roentgens]].<ref name="hr na">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[New Alexandria]]''</ref> | ||
Subsequently, the atmosphere is saturated with millions of tons of ash, debris, and soot that are thrown up from the initial impact, blocking sunlight and dramatically lowering the amount of sunlight reaching the planets surface, subjecting it to an impact winter. As the ground zero area cools, the surface is covered by extensive areas of molten soil.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 153''</ref> | Subsequently, the atmosphere is saturated with millions of tons of ash, debris, and soot that are thrown up from the initial impact, blocking sunlight and dramatically lowering the amount of sunlight reaching the planets surface, subjecting it to an impact winter. As the ground zero area cools, the surface is covered by extensive areas of molten soil.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 153''</ref> | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
<references group="note"/> | <references group="note"/> | ||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||