A chilling visualisation shows what might happen if an asteroid hits Earth in 2032, as scientists fear.<br /><br />Discovered in December, Asteroid 2024 YR4 is being closely monitored due to its potential to impact our planet.<br /><br />If the asteroid were to strike Earth, the energy released could be equivalent to 8 megatons of TNT, capable of devastating an area the size of Washington, D.C.<br /><br />The shocking visuals were created by Alvaro Gracia Montoya, who specialises in 3D animation under the name MetaBallStudios.<br /><br />He says: "I don't think it's going to happen, but certainly this kind of news generates a lot of speculation."<br /><br />Online reactions have included: "I guarantee they are already building bunkers underground" and "That won't happen because obviously Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck are going to go up there, drill a hole in the side and nuke it."<br /><br />An 8-megaton explosion would be over 500 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, which had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons (0.015 megatons).<br /><br />Current estimates place its size between 40 and 90 metres (130–295 feet) and give it a 2.3% probability of impact, equivalent to a 1 in 43 chance.
