Seismic activity on the east coast

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the seismic activity on the east coast of the United States, particularly in relation to an earthquake that occurred on August 23rd with a magnitude of 5.9. Participants are exploring whether there was any unusual seismic activity recorded prior to this event, given the rarity of earthquakes in that region.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about any unusual seismic activity on the east coast before the August 23rd earthquake, noting the rarity of such events in the region.
  • Another participant provides links to resources detailing recent and past earthquakes, emphasizing that while less common, earthquakes do occur on the east coast.
  • A third participant shares historical context about earthquakes in Virginia, mentioning significant past events and providing additional links for further information.
  • A later reply expresses gratitude for the shared links and information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus regarding the existence of unusual seismic activity prior to the August 23rd earthquake, and the discussion remains open-ended with multiple viewpoints and resources shared.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a lack of specific data regarding seismic activity leading up to the earthquake, and participants rely on historical context and external resources to inform their inquiries.

shenue
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I have been searching online trying to find information about any unusual/unexpected seismic activity on the east coast of U.S. before the earthquake struck on August 23rd. So far, I've not been able to find any articles about that subject. Has anyone seen any information on that topic? Earthquakes in that area are very rare, and I believe the August 23rd earthquake set a record, for that area, with a magnitute of 5.9. Because I live in a mid-atlantic state, and I felt last week's earthquake fairly strongly, I'm curious to know if any unusual activity had been recorded either days or weeks, etc., before the earthquake.
My thanks, in advance, to anyone who can enlighten me.
 
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This site has a wealth of information about recent and past earthquakes around the world.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.html

You can see from this map:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/us_damage_eq.php

that while the earthquakes are much less common on the east coast than in the west, they do happen.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Here you go.

The history of earthquakes in Virginia.

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/geology/quake.html

The last "big one" in Virginia (about a 5.8 on the Richter scale) was on May 31, 1897, in Pearisburg, the county seat of Giles County. The judge in the courthouse adjourned a trial, jumped over the railing, and fled outside with everyone else as the courthouse rattled, brick walls cracked, and chimneys fell over. It was Virginia's most powerful recorded earthquake - but our recorded memory extend back only a few centuries, and the geologic history of the state extends back hundreds of millions of years. In 1959, Giles County was shaken again by a 3.8 temblor. More recently, windows were broken in a Veterans Day, 1975 earthquake in Blacksburg.

and here

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/?region=Virginia

You might like this also.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/megaqk_facts_fantasy.php
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you both so much for the links ! I appreciate the responses.
 

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