A very busy 36 hrs with earthquakes

  • Thread starter davenn
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In summary, the past 36 hours have seen 5 significant earthquakes around the Pacific Basin, including a 7.1-magnitude quake in Mexico, a 6.1-magnitude quake near New Zealand, a 6.1-magnitude quake in Japan, a 6.4-magnitude quake in Vanuatu, and a 5.6-magnitude quake in Papua New Guinea. The 6.1-magnitude quake in Japan occurred near the shuttered Fukushima nuclear plant at a depth of 6 miles and had a normal faulting movement with a slight sideways component.
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davenn
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The last 36 hrs has seen 5 respectable quakes around the Pacific Basin

From top to bottom of my seismogram...

M 7.1 - 5km ENE of Raboso, Mexico

M 6.1 - 256km W of Auckland Island, New Zealand

M 6.1 - 281km ESE of Kamaishi, Japan

M 6.4 - 85km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu

M 5.6 - 165km N of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea

170919-20 M 7.1 Mexico, 6.1 S of Sth Is NZ, 6.2 Japan, 6.4 Vanuatu, 5.6 PNG zhi.gif

cheers
Dave
 
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Astronuc said:
Its hypocenter — the underwater locus of the quake — happened at a depth of about 6 miles.

and a very nice normal faulting event with just a hint of oblique motion

upload_2017-9-21_13-49-9.png
 
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1. What caused the sudden increase in earthquakes in a short period of time?

The sudden increase in earthquakes could be due to a phenomenon called an earthquake swarm, where a series of earthquakes occur in close proximity to each other. This can happen when there is a build-up of stress in the Earth's crust, causing many small earthquakes to release the built-up energy.

2. Are these earthquakes related to each other?

It is likely that these earthquakes are related to each other, as they occurred in a short period of time and in close proximity. However, further analysis would need to be done to confirm if they are all part of the same fault or if there are multiple faults involved.

3. Is this level of seismic activity normal?

The level of seismic activity can vary depending on the region and geological conditions. In some areas, it may be normal to have a high frequency of earthquakes, while in others it may be uncommon. It is important to monitor and analyze seismic activity to understand what is considered normal for a particular region.

4. What is the magnitude of these earthquakes?

The magnitude of these earthquakes can vary, but they are typically small to moderate in size. This means they are not likely to cause significant damage, but they can still be felt by people living in the area. The magnitude scale ranges from 1 to 10, with each number representing a tenfold increase in earthquake strength.

5. Should we be concerned about the frequency of these earthquakes?

It is always important to pay attention to seismic activity and be prepared for earthquakes, especially if you live in a region prone to them. However, not all earthquakes are cause for concern. It is important to monitor the situation and follow any updates or warnings from local authorities.

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