Is a zombie apocalypse simply a concept of fiction or could an infectious disease really turn humanity into a race of vicious, seething monsters? National Geographic examines one all-too-real scenario—a pandemic caused by a mutated rabies virus. Experts from the fields of medicine, biology and the social sciences explain what could happen if humanity faced a deadly contagion for which there was no cure-and the truth will shock you.

Imagine: Earth is directly hit by a primordial black hole-and survives. But the strike is so immense that it generates a colossal shockwave, disturbing the magma beneath every existing volcanic system. An expert team of physicists and space scientists suggest this terrifying scenario is not all inconceivable. Explore the science behind this deadly disaster scenario to learn what would come of this destructive intrigue.

Imagine if a strange dark force pulls earth from its orbit around the sun and sends us drifting out into the cold starkness of space. Could mankind find ways to survive in an eclipsing, alien environment? Or could the new Ice Age freeze us out of existence?