Tunguska: The Largest Recent Impact Event . ... Credit Copyright: Leonid Kulik Expedition, Wikipedia Explanation: Yes, but can your meteor do this? The most powerful natural explosion in recent Earth history occurred on 1908 June 30 when a meteor exploded above the Tunguska River in Siberia , Russia . ... One focus of modern astronomy is to find Solar System objects capable of creating such devastation well before they impact the Earth. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...