Asteroid ‘God of Chaos’ May Bring astroquakes During 2029 Earth Flyby

In an event that has captured global interest, the asteroid Apophis—nicknamed the “God of Chaos”—is set to pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029. This close encounter could trigger seismic activity on the asteroid, causing significant changes to its structure, scientists predict. Apophis, roughly the size of the Empire State Building, is a “potentially hazardous” asteroid. However, while its passing distance of just 19,000 miles may seem alarming, current calculations put the risk of impact at virtually zero.

Earth’s Gravity Could Trigger Astroquakes on Apophis

Research led by Ronald-Louis Ballouz from Johns Hopkins University suggests that Apophis may experience tremors—similar to earthquakes—due to Earth’s gravitational pull during its flyby. Their findings indicate these tremors could shake the asteroid enough to dislodge surface materials and even eject small rocks into space. This shaking, which scientists call “astroquakes,” is expected to start about an hour before Apophis reaches its closest approach to Earth and continue for some time after.

The asteroid’s unusual path, combined with its tumbling motion, could lead to further disruptions. Earth’s gravitational forces could even alter its rotation, which could eventually expose fresh layers beneath its weathered surface. These surface disruptions may provide valuable insights into how asteroids change when they come close to planets.

NASA to Observe Apophis During Flyby

To better understand these potential changes, NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission is preparing to meet Apophis in 2029. This spacecraft will spend over a year closely studying the asteroid and monitoring any shifts in its shape or surface features resulting from Earth’s gravitational influence. This mission could reveal why certain asteroids lack weathered appearances after planetary encounters, expanding our knowledge about space weathering.

Planetary Defense Keeping Watch for Future Threats

While Apophis won’t hit Earth, scientists remain alert to other potential “city-killer” asteroids. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office is actively working on strategies to deflect dangerous objects that may come close to Earth in the future. For now, however, Apophis’s 2029 flyby offers an extraordinary opportunity to learn more about how large space objects respond to planetary forces.