• Shallow M5.1 earthquake hits Zhangye, China

    A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.1 (downgraded from M5.5) hit Zhangye, China at 12:48 UTC (20:48 LT) on September 16, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 18.5 km (11.49 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.5 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). China…

  • Asteroid 2019 QR8 flew past Earth at 0.80 LD

    A newly discovered asteroid designated 2019 QR8 flew past Earth at 0.80 LD / 0.00207 AU (309 667 km / 192 418 miles). This is the 42nd known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance since the start of the year. The object was first observed at Pan-STARRS-1,…

  • Strong explosion at Sakurajima volcano, Japan

    A relatively strong explosion took place at Sakurajima volcano, Aira caldera, Japan at 22:46 UTC on September 15, 2019 (07:46 LT, September 16). According to the Tokyo VAAC, the ash plume is reaching 4 000 m (13 000 feet) above sea level, extending SW. This is 2 880…