AKIPRESS.COM - Nicaraguan scientists say a September 7 late-night explosion heard in the capital of Managua was most likely caused by a meteorite.

The impact of the meteorite left a 12-meter (39-foot) crater in a wooded area near the airport and caused a jolt which many people had thought was caused by an earthquake.

Scientists believe the meteorite is a piece of the asteroid called "2014 RC," which NASA predicted would pass close to the earth on Sunday and be closest over New Zealand at around 6 p.m. GMT, Reuters reports.

"We are convinced that this was a meteorite. We have seen the crater from the impact," said Wilfredo Strauss of the Seismic Institute.

Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said Managua would be in contact with the US Geological Service to try to get more information about "this fascinating event."