Reply to Dunny Ramsay: Apparently the U.S. has developed missiles that can intercept and destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles.  If they can do that, they should be able to develop the capability to deflect an asteroid from hitting planet Earth.  If a large rockface in the Azores threatens to fall into the sea in a single chunk, it would make sense for people to develop a system to break off small pieces over a period of time.  It would make sense to find a way to slowly release the pressure under caldera at Yellowstone.  Don't all those courses on time management say that effective people (and effective governments? ) are supposed to work on their "A" priorities instead of on their "B", "C", and "D"  priorities?