The full moon will come nearer to Earth than at any time since 1948, astronomers said. At closest approach, which occurs at 6.23am EST (1123 GMT) on Monday, the moon will pass within 216,486 miles (348,400 km) of Earth's surface, about 22,000 miles (35,400 km) closer than average
Continue reading, see more awesome pictures of the Supermoon, and read about the prediction that came true, along with pictures of New Zealand earthquake devastation and the Blue Light phenomenon during the quake
The moon's distance from Earth varies because it is in an egg-shaped, not circular, orbit around the planet.
If skies are clear, the upcoming full moon will appear up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than usual, making it what is called a supermoon, according to NASA.
A supermoon occurs when the timing of a full moon overlaps with the point in the moon's 28-day orbit that is closest to Earth.
About every 14th full moon is a supermoon, said University of Wisconsin astronomer Jim Lattis.
The next time a full moon comes as close to Earth will be in 2034.
Utah.... or an alien landscape?
Statue of Freedom, Capitol Dome, Washington DC
University of Kansas
Shining over Saint Gabriel Valley, California
St. Louis Arch
Chicago Harbor Light
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Power and Light Building in Kansas City.
THE NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION THAT CAME TRUE
A man appears to have predicted Sunday's devastating New Zealand earthquake a week before it struck, blaming it on the 'supermoon'.
Nigel Antony Gray warned in a Facebook posted dated November 6 that people should 'watch for a major earthquake' on November 14 or a 'couple of days either side'.
He claimed because the moon was closer to Earth than it had been for many years, its gravitational pull would be greater, making a quake 'quite possible'.
The 7.5 magnitude quake struck near Christchurch on the evening of November 13, within the window he predicted a day before Monday night's 'supermoon'.
'There was a recent large earthquake in Italy and as when one plate shifts it places stress on other plates, the chances of a big quake are higher for something down this end of the globe,' Mr Gray wrote.
Mr Gray, a New Zealander who from his Facebook feed appears to be a conspiracy theorist and staunch Donald Trump supporter, advised people to stock up on food and water.
His now-deleted post went viral soon after the quake hit, and his name has been discussed more than 38,000 times on Facebook.
During the earthquake, terrified residents saw bright flashing blue lights in the sky with several videos of the mysterious lights appearing online.
It was likely the rare 'earthquake light' phenomenon where rocks rub together as the Earth's crust shakes, creating an electric charge.
They travel through the cracks in rocks caused by the quake and ionise pockets of air in the atmosphere, creating plasma that emits light.
The spectacular display is only seen in quakes of magnitude five or higher, and has only been recorded in 0.5 per cent of earthquakes.
Asked about the estimated cost of the damage from Sunday's earthquake New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key said: 'It's hard to believe that the bill is going to be less than a couple of billion (dollars).'
The earthquake was greater in magnitude than the tremor that hit Christchurch in 2011 but it did not bring the same level of devastation as on that occasion. The death toll in 2011 was 185 but so far only two deaths have been linked to yesterday's quake.
Landslide near Kaikoura
The New Zealand Herald reported that a 100-year-old woman and her daughter-in-law survived when the earthquake destroyed their home at Kaikoura but the son, Louis Edgar, perished in the rubble.
New Zealand's civil defence ministry posted on its Facebook page: 'More aftershocks ARE expected. So remember to Drop, Cover and Hold. And if there's a long or strong quake then get yourself to higher ground.
'Kia kaha Aotearoa (Stay strong New Zealand). Look after each other and we'll see you tomorrow.'
They thanked everyone who 'pitched in' on Monday and added: 'To all the agencies, volunteers, neighbours, family, military and all round excellent Kiwis...we couldn't have got through without you.'
There are fears that yesterday's earthquake may only be a precursor to an even more devastating earthquake.
Last year researchers from the University of Texas said they had found evidence that an area off the coast of North Island - known as the Hikurangi margin - could cause a 'megathrust' earthquake and tsunami similar to the one that hit Japan in March 2011.
Stuff reported they said: 'This is the first evidence that the southern Hikurangi margin ruptures in large (7-7.9) to great (8+) earthquakes, and the relatively short time interval between the two events has significant implications for seismic hazard in New Zealand.'
Cows stranded atop a clifftop after earthquake await rescue