Each day there are usually two or three NEOs that make the cut and are included in the database.On December 21, 2012 there is just one.
It is a good sized asteroid called 2002 AU4. It’s size is estimated at 750 meters and it has a long history of making close approaches.
On December 21, 2012 Asteroid 2002 AU will be only 0.102 AU from earth, which could cause a major earthquake.
What is interesting is it’s, most recent close approach history:
Date Distance
Feb 27, 2010 - 0.4446 AU
Jul 15, 2009 - 0.48 AU
Dec 17, 2008 - 0.197 AU
Mar 05, 2006 - 0.296 AU
Aug 09, 2005 - 0.493 AU
Dec 24, 2004 - 0.432 AU
Source : http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2002%20AU4;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=0#orb
Anything happen when 2002 AU4 came close on these past dates? Feb 27, 2010
The 2010 Chile magnitude 8.8 earthquake occurred off the coast of central Chile, the sixth largest earthquake ever to be recorded by a seismograph. It triggered a tsunami which devastated several coastal towns in south-central Chile and damaged the port at Talcahuano. Tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries, and the wave caused minor damage in the San Diego area of California and in the Thoku region of Japan, where damage to the fisheries business was estimated at $66.7 million. The earthquake also generated a blackout that affected 93 percent of the country's population. 525 people lost their lives, 25 people went missing, and about 9% of the population in the affected regions lost their homes. (There was also a 7.0 quake in Japan)
The 2009 Fiordland earthquake was a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the South Island of New Zealand on 15 July 2009. The earthquake was centered in the remote region of Fiordland. It is the largest New Zealand earthquake since the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake, which also had a magnitude of 7.8.
The 2008 Papudo earthquake hit affecting all of Chile between Illapel and Rancagua. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8 and lasted about 1 minute.
USGS global database shows one quake hit each day over these 3 days including magnitudes 6.1, 6.2 and 6.2
Aug 09, 2005
USGS global database shows two 6.1 magnitude quakes on August 9 plus a magnitude 5.0 in New Mexico was in the news August 10.
Dec 23, 2004
A massive magnitude 8.1 earthquake (one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded) hit north of Macquarie Island yet is largely unknown as it fortunately occurred near a remote subantarctic island half way between Australia and Antarctica. It was followed 3 days later by the tragic Sumatra magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami.
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58 UTC on 26 December 2004 off the west coast of Sumatra. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake. The resulting tsunami is given various names, including the Boxing Day tsunami. The quake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in 14 countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. With a magnitude of 9.1–9.3, it is the third largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph and triggered other earthquakes as far away as Alaska.
Update:
Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake Hit Honshu, Japan On December 21, 2012
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