Mag 6.7 earthquake near Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a recent magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, including its impact, related seismic activity, and broader implications for earthquake frequency in the region. Participants reference various sources and data regarding earthquake occurrences and risks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant cites USGS data regarding the magnitude and location of the earthquake, noting its depth and providing links to news articles about the event and its aftermath.
  • Another participant comments on the series of natural disasters affecting Japan, including a recent typhoon and extreme heat, suggesting a challenging year for the region.
  • A participant mentions a magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Fiji, questioning whether the frequency of large earthquakes is increasing, referencing a previous comment by another user about historical averages.
  • One participant provides data analysis on the frequency of 6.5+ magnitude earthquakes over the last decade, highlighting a period of low activity followed by recent quakes, while expressing frustration with the complexity of analyzing such data.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying viewpoints on the implications of recent seismic activity and its relation to historical data. There is no consensus on whether the frequency of large earthquakes is increasing or on the interpretation of the data presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various studies and data sources, but there are limitations regarding the completeness of the data and the assumptions underlying the analysis of earthquake frequency.

Astronuc
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USGS reports M 6.6 - 27km E of Tomakomai, Japan
2018-09-05 18:07:58 UTC 42.671°N, 141.933°E 33.4 km depth
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000h8ty#executivePowerful M6.7 earthquake rocks Hokkaido, causing massive landslides; nine dead and 31 reported missing
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...okkaido-no-tsunami-alert-issued/#.W5E6kjrn-Ul

I found this article while reading about the current earthquake.
Hokkaido and Pacific coast [of Japan] now understood to face higher risk of powerful earthquakes
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...igher-risk-powerful-earthquakes/#.W5E6OTrn-Uk

Need to track down the study. Not sure if this is the source.
https://phys.org/news/2018-04-future-earthquake-tsunami-southeast-japan.html
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
Right after a direct hit by one of the biggest typhoons to ever hit Japan and brutal heat this summer. They aren't catching any breaks this year.
 
StevieTNZ said:
...
I think @davenn mentioned in another thread that the average number of large earthquakes was quite low at some point (if I recall correctly) -
Indeed! Just pulled up the USGS data for 6.5+ earthquakes over the last 10 years, and between April 3rd and August 4th of this year, there was only one earthquake of that magnitude.
That was 123 days.
With quakes occurring on April 2nd and August 5th, that's about a 62 day period average between the 3 quakes.
The average time between such sized quakes was about 7.4 days.

is that being made up by now, with all these quakes happening?
Analyzing earthquake data makes me crazy, so I won't comment.

Here's my obligatory graph, just in case you'd like to scratch YOUR head. :biggrin:

2018.09.06.earthquakes.obligatory.graph.png
 

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