The asteroid Apophis, also known as the “God of Chaos,” will pass just 31,000 kilometers from Earth in 2029. Scientists from Johns Hopkins University have found that such a close encounter with our planet could trigger “astroquakes” on its surface—seismic activity caused by Earth’s gravitational influence. This could lead to dust ejections, landslides, and structural changes on the asteroid.
According to a study published in the Planetary Science Journal, Earth’s gravitational forces could destabilize Apophis’s surface, causing debris ejections and altering its orbital characteristics. Previously, the probability of the asteroid colliding with Earth was estimated at 2.7%, but new calculations have reduced that risk to one in two billion.
Despite its ominous name and the potential structural changes, Apophis does not pose an immediate threat. Astronomers continue to monitor it, assuring that there is no danger of impact for at least the next 100 years. However, this exceptionally close flyby will provide a unique opportunity to study the effects of gravitational forces on celestial bodies.
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