Definition: The "Tunguska" was a meteorite that exploded near the town of Tunguska in Siberia, causing an inferno 250 kilometers (155 miles) wide and lasting for five seconds, much to the dismay of local villagers who claimed it had been planted by the Russians. The explosion is often credited with igniting the nearby forest fire that destroyed entire villages. It remains one of the world's most famous natural disasters and an important part of human history.