Meteor Apocalypse (2010) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The major nuclear powers launched intercontinental missiles in a desperate attempt to shatter the celestial threat, but their efforts failed catastrophically. Instead of destroying the comet completely, the missiles only broke it apart, leaving fragments that survived atmospheric entry and began raining down on the planet. This made the situation worse than a single impact.

• nuclear missiles
• comet
• fragments
• impact
• failed attempt

News reports revealed that the comet harbored a deadly pathogen. This alien microorganism contaminated Lake Mead and likely other water sources as the comet fragmented and its debris scattered across the atmosphere. The pathogen then entered the public water system, causing widespread illness and death among those who drank it.

• comet
• pathogen
• Lake Mead
• water contamination
• illness

David's co-worker Mark began convulsing after being exposed to the poisoned water supply at the research laboratory. Despite David's efforts, Mark died before medical help could arrive. The meteor shower then struck the facility, killing the paramedics who had responded and destroying much of David's work.

• Mark
• research lab
• water poisoning
• death
• paramedics

The government ordered a quarantine after news outlets reported that the comet might carry a deadly pathogen that had tainted Lake Mead. Authorities needed to contain the panic and prevent the spread of the illness caused by the contaminated water. This led to citywide lockdowns and the forced relocation of the population.

• quarantine
• government
• pathogen
• Lake Mead
• evacuation

David headed to Las Vegas Valley specifically to locate a colleague who was working on an experimental antidote for the pathogen. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, he successfully secured a dose of this experimental cure, which became crucial for saving Lynn and eventually his family.

• David
• Las Vegas
• antidote
• experimental cure
• colleague

Lynn contracted the illness from the contaminated water, just like David's daughter Alison. Despite receiving the antidote from David, Lynn eventually succumbed to the disease. However, she had safeguarded the antidote meant for Alison, ensuring it remained available for David's daughter.

• Lynn
• illness
• antidote
• death
• sacrifice

With the largest meteor fragment projected to slam directly into Los Angeles, Homeland Security cancelled the evacuation to conserve resources. Officials determined that attempting to move massive numbers of people would waste limited fuel and supplies when the impact was considered inevitable.

• evacuation
• cancelled
• Los Angeles
• largest fragment
• Homeland Security

David used the antidote to save a girl he encountered, and in gratitude, the girl's mother gave him a clue about where his wife and daughter might be found. This lead pointed him to a cliff location overlooking Los Angeles where Kate and Alison had taken shelter. David then climbed the perilous cliff to reach them.

• David
• Kate
• Alison
• cliff
• location clue
• reunion

David had a documented fear of heights, yet he was forced to conquer this terror to reach Kate and Alison, who were stranded on a high cliff overlooking Los Angeles. The only way to administer the antidote and save them was by scaling this dangerous cliff face despite his severe acrophobia.

• David
• fear of heights
• cliff
• family
• courage

The final and largest meteor fragment crashed into Los Angeles while David, Kate, and Alison watched from their safe vantage point on the cliff. This impact marked the end of the immediate catastrophe, though the city was devastated. The family's survival and reunion symbolized a hopeful, fragile new beginning after the destruction.

• final fragment
• Los Angeles
• impact
• destruction
• reunion