What's Causing All These Earthquakes Today?

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In summary, the conversation discusses various recent and upcoming earthquakes, including a Mw5.9 in Indonesia, a Mw6.3 in Chile, and a Mw6.5 in Vanuatu. The cause of these earthquakes is due to the spreading of oceanic plates and the presence of transform faults along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The conversation also includes maps showing the locations of these earthquakes and the different types of faults in the area.
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davenn
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http://www.sydneystormcity.com/seismograms.htm

MY seismo has been busy over the last 4 hours

Mw5.9 northern Indonesia

Mw6.3 Chilean aftershock

And coming in now a Mw6.5 Vanuatu ( SW Pacific)
 
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  • #3
davenn said:
and another large event coming in...

Mw 6.6, central Mid-Atlantic Ridge, NE of Brazil

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000biu8/executiveIt will be relatively small amplitude on my seismo as it's half way around the world
This event is ~ 600km NW of a Mw6.5 on the 30th Aug 2020
What causes earthquakes there? Aren't the plates drifting apart?
 
  • #4
fresh_42 said:
What causes earthquakes there? Aren't the plates drifting apart?
Yes, they are spreading apart. There are lots of very large transform ( strike-slip) faults along all oceanic spreading ridges
and that's where these quakes usually occur as did this one ...

a couple of maps I have done, one annotated with which parts are spreading and which parts are transform faults

clean map showing quake location ...

Clipboard01.jpg


annotated map

Clipboard01a.JPG
Many people probably think that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge ( and others like it) are just spreading ridges.
This couldn't be further from the truth as it can be seen that it is a complex mix of spreading and fault zones
I have 1/2 arrows that indicate the relative motions on some of the faults ( didn't do all - for clarity)

cheers
Dave
 
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1. What is the main cause of earthquakes?

The main cause of earthquakes is the movement of tectonic plates, which make up the Earth's crust. When these plates shift or collide, it can create seismic activity.

2. Are all earthquakes caused by natural processes?

No, some earthquakes can also be triggered by human activities such as mining, drilling, or the construction of large dams.

3. Why are there more earthquakes happening now?

There is not necessarily an increase in the number of earthquakes happening now. With advancements in technology, we are now able to detect and record smaller earthquakes that may have gone unnoticed in the past.

4. Can earthquakes be predicted?

Currently, there is no reliable way to predict when and where an earthquake will occur. Scientists are constantly researching and developing new methods, but predicting earthquakes is still a challenging task.

5. How can we prepare for earthquakes?

There are several ways to prepare for earthquakes, such as creating an emergency plan, securing furniture and objects in your home, and having an earthquake kit ready. It is also important to educate yourself on earthquake safety and be aware of potential hazards in your area.

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