2013day.year
A meteor explodes over Russia, injuring 1,500 people as a shock wave blows out windows and rocks buildings. This happens unexpectedly only hours before the expected closest ever approach of the larger and unrelated asteroid 2012 DA14.
A meteor explodes over Russia, injuring around 1,500 people as a shock wave damages buildings just before a large asteroid’s close approach.
In the early hours of February 15, 2013, a meteor estimated to be about 20 meters in diameter entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded over the Chelyabinsk region of Russia. The powerful airburst released energy equivalent to roughly 500 kilotons of TNT, creating a shock wave that shattered windows and damaged buildings across six regions. Approximately 1,500 people were injured, primarily from glass shards, making it the most damaging meteor event in over a century. The explosion occurred mere hours before the unrelated asteroid 2012 DA14 made its record close flyby of Earth. The incident prompted renewed global interest in monitoring near-Earth objects and improving early-warning systems.
2013
A meteor explodes
2012 DA14