20 Times the World Came Close to Disaster (But Was Saved at the Last Moment)
Throughout human history, we’ve repeatedly teetered on the edge of catastrophe only to be pulled back from the brink by quick thinking, technological innovation, or sometimes pure luck. These near-misses have shaped our world in ways we might never fully appreciate.
Here is a list of 20 remarkable instances when humanity faced potential disaster but managed to escape at the very last moment.
Cuban Missile Crisis
In October 1962, the United States and Soviet Union stood on the precipice of nuclear war during a 13-day political standoff. Soviet submarine officer Vasili Arkhipov single-handedly prevented a nuclear launch by refusing to authorize the use of nuclear torpedoes against US warships. His cool judgment during extreme pressure potentially saved hundreds of millions of lives and prevented global nuclear escalation.
Apollo 13 Mission
When an oxygen tank exploded aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft in 1970, the three astronauts were 200,000 miles from Earth with diminishing oxygen and power. NASA engineers improvised a solution using only materials available on the spacecraft, including duct tape and plastic bags.
Their ingenuity transformed a potential space tragedy into what flight director Gene Kranz later called NASA’s ‘finest hour.’
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Y2K Computer Bug
As the world approached January 1, 2000, computer systems worldwide faced the ‘Millennium Bug’ that threatened to crash critical infrastructure from banking to air traffic control. Programmers and engineers worked around the clock for years, spending over $300 billion to update systems.
Their efforts paid off when midnight struck and society continued functioning normally, averting what could have been a massive technological meltdown.
Stanislav Petrov’s Soviet Missile Decision
In September 1983, Soviet military officer Stanislav Petrov was on duty when computers indicated five incoming American nuclear missiles. Rather than reporting the apparent attack to superiors, he correctly identified it as a system malfunction.
His judgment call prevented a potential Soviet counterattack that could have escalated into full-scale nuclear war, earning him the nickname ‘the man who saved the world.’
The Ozone Layer Recovery
By the 1980s, scientists found that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in common products were causing an increasing hole in the ozone layer, which protects the planet. An unprecedented worldwide agreement to phase out these dangerous substances was established under the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
In order to prevent innumerable cases of skin cancer and ecological harm, the ozone layer is currently slowly recovering, with full recovery anticipated by 2065.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
The Great Smog Solution
The lethal potential of air pollution was demonstrated by the ‘Great Smog’ of 1952 in London, which killed an estimated 12,000 people in a matter of days. The Clean Air Act of 1956, which reduced coal burning in urban areas and established smoke-free zones, was passed as a result of this environmental catastrophe.
The law prevented similar fatal pollution incidents in numerous urban areas and established a model for air quality norms globally.
Chernobyl’s Meltdown Prevention
Following the initial Chernobyl disaster in 1986, a secondary threat emerged when molten nuclear material threatened to reach groundwater, potentially contaminating much of Europe’s water supply. Engineers and miners tunneled beneath the reactor to install a cooling system, while others risked fatal radiation exposure to clear radioactive materials from the roof.
Their sacrifices prevented a catastrophe that could have rendered vast areas of Europe uninhabitable.
The Eradication of Smallpox
Smallpox killed an estimated 300 million people in the 20th century alone, with a 30% mortality rate. The World Health Organization launched an ambitious global vaccination campaign in 1966 when the disease still infected 10-15 million people annually.
Through unprecedented international cooperation, smallpox was officially eradicated by 1980, marking the first and only time humans have completely eliminated a deadly disease.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning
Ten-year-old Tilly Smith saved dozens of lives during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami thanks to a geography lesson she’d recently had in school. Recognizing the receding shoreline as a tsunami warning sign, she alerted her parents and hotel staff who evacuated the beach before the wave hit.
Her knowledge turned what could have been a tragedy into a remarkable story of preparedness and quick thinking.
1999 Mars Climate Orbiter Recovery Lessons
NASA lost the $125 million Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999 due to a simple unit conversion error between metric and imperial measurements. While the spacecraft itself was destroyed, the investigation led to crucial safeguards in space mission planning.
These improved procedures directly contributed to the success of later Mars missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers that have revolutionized our understanding of the red planet.
Deepwater Horizon Response
After the catastrophic 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest in US history, scientists feared irreversible damage to the Gulf ecosystem. A massive response team deployed specialized microbes that consume hydrocarbons, along with mechanical recovery methods.
The combination of natural processes and human intervention allowed the Gulf to recover more quickly than expected, preventing the permanent ecological collapse that many experts had predicted.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Near-Earth Asteroid Detection
In 2019, astronomers detected asteroid 2019 OK just 24 hours before it passed within 45,000 miles of Earth—a cosmic near-miss. This alarming close call accelerated funding for planetary defense systems, including improved detection networks and potential deflection technologies.
These systems now provide crucial early warnings for objects that might have otherwise gone undetected until it was too late.
Three Mile Island Containment
During the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident, a partial meltdown occurred in the reactor core. Despite equipment failures and operator errors, the containment building performed exactly as designed, preventing significant radiation release.
The incident led to comprehensive safety reforms in the nuclear industry worldwide, creating redundant safety systems that have prevented similar accidents at hundreds of facilities globally.
The Green Revolution
In the 1960s, experts predicted imminent global famines that would kill millions as population growth outpaced food production. Agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug developed high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties that dramatically increased crop outputs in developing nations.
His innovations, part of the ‘Green Revolution,’ prevented the anticipated mass starvation and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize for saving more lives than perhaps anyone in history.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
The Montreal Superstack Engineering
When acid rain from nickel smelting threatened to turn Canada’s ecosystems into dead zones in the 1970s, engineers developed the 1,250-foot Sudbury Superstack. This engineering marvel dispersed sulfur emissions high into the atmosphere, buying time for permanent solutions.
The breathing room it provided allowed for the implementation of emissions-reducing technologies, preventing the complete collapse of vulnerable lake ecosystems throughout North America.
Financial Crisis Containment
When global markets teetered on collapse during the 2008 financial crisis, central banks coordinated an unprecedented emergency response. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero and pumped trillions into the economy through quantitative easing.
These decisive actions, while controversial, prevented the recession from spiraling into a second Great Depression that economists estimate could have left 30% of Americans unemployed.
Lake Nyos Degassing
In 1986, a natural carbon dioxide eruption from Cameroon’s Lake Nyos asphyxiated nearly 1,800 people in surrounding villages. Scientists developed a degassing solution using pipes that safely release the built-up gas continuously rather than catastrophically.
This ingenious fix has been applied to similar lakes worldwide, preventing future tragedies and allowing displaced communities to safely return to their ancestral homes.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Cascadia Fault Building Codes
When scientists discovered the Cascadia Subduction Zone could generate a magnitude 9.0 earthquake affecting the entire Pacific Northwest, cities rapidly updated building codes. Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver now require structures that can withstand violent shaking, while coastal communities have established vertical evacuation routes.
These preparations have transformed what would have been certain catastrophe into a survivable event despite the massive quake being statistically overdue.
Australian Bushfire Management
Indigenous Australians practiced controlled burning for thousands of years, preventing the buildup of flammable materials in forests. When these practices were abandoned, catastrophic bushfires became common.
Recent reincorporation of Aboriginal fire management techniques in combination with modern methods has significantly reduced wildfire intensity and damage, saving countless homes, lives, and wildlife from what had become regular devastating blazes.
Antarctic Ozone Monitoring
The potential for extensive ecological harm and elevated cancer rates was instantly apparent to scientists upon the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985. Critical data tracking recovery and threat identification have been made possible by the installation of permanent monitoring stations.
This watchfulness guarantees the ozone layer’s continuous recovery and acts as a warning system in case new harmful substances are widely used.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Ecological Interconnections
Humans have frequently learned how intertwined the systems of our planet are during these near-disasters. From technology to ecology, from the atmosphere to the oceans, every near-miss has deepened our awareness of our responsibilities and our impact.
These lessons continue to influence how we tackle new problems, serving as a reminder that our greatest resources for negotiating an uncertain future are still readiness, teamwork, and creativity.
More from Go2Tutors!
- 20 Historical Artifacts That Scientists Can’t Explain
- 20 Little-Known Historical Battles That Had Huge Consequences
- 20 Countries That No Longer Exist and What Happened to Them
- 20 Abandoned Military Bases and the Stories Behind Them
- 20 Discontinued Snacks from the 70s and 80s That We Still Miss
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
