What caused the M6.3 earthquake west of Macquarie Island?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the M6.3 earthquake that occurred west of Macquarie Island on October 11, 2023. Participants explore the seismic event's details, including its depth and location, and engage in a dialogue about how earthquake origins are determined, referencing various sources of information.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports the earthquake's magnitude, location, and depth, noting its occurrence on the Australian-Antarctic Ridge boundary.
  • Another participant inquires about the methods used to determine the earthquake's origin, asking if it is done independently or through referencing external sources.
  • A participant mentions the USGS as a major source for earthquake information, providing a link to their event page for the earthquake.
  • There is a discussion about the shallow depth of the earthquake, with one participant noting that the water depth in the area is 2.7 km.
  • Several posts contain humorous exchanges regarding the names of participants and a misunderstanding about who was being addressed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express curiosity about the earthquake's details and the methods of determining its origin, but there is no consensus on the specifics of the determination process or the implications of the earthquake's depth.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to various sources for earthquake data, but the reliability and preference for these sources are not fully explored or agreed upon.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying seismology, earthquake analysis, or those curious about seismic events in the Australian region.

davenn
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From my seismograph this morning
M 6.3 - west of Macquarie Island
2023-10-11 20:04:57 (UTC) 52.060°S 139.590°E 4.8 km depth
This is on the Australian - Antarctic Ridge boundary, South of Australia.

1697064252098.png


The 3rd and latest M6.3 from Afghanistan can also be seen further up the seismogram.
The P wave arriving at 01:10UTC.. The origin time of the quake was 00:41:56 UT meaning that it took
some 28 minutes for the P wave to travel from the quake focus to my location in Sydney

The other smaller event after the Afghanistan event was a M5.5 from the Balleny Isl. area, in the Pacific - Antarctic Ridge
 
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Hey Dave. Not sure if I've asked this before, but how do you determine the origin of the earthquake? Do you determine it yourself or do you reference another source?
 
Drakkith said:
Hey Dave. Not sure if I've asked this before, but how do you determine the origin of the earthquake? Do you determine it yourself or do you reference another source?
There are numerous sources for locating earthquakes. The USGS is one of the major, if the major, sources.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000lews/executive

M 6.3 - west of Macquarie Island​

  • 2023-10-11 20:04:57 (UTC)
  • 52.060°S 139.590°E
  • 4.8 km depth
That's shallow!
 
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Astronuc said:
That's shallow!
4.8 km certainly is shallow, the water depth there is 2.7 km.

That location is closer to me, than it is to Macquarie Is.
 
Astronuc's name is ... Dave?

Excuse me while I repair to high dungeon to revise my worldview..
 
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DaveC426913 said:
Astronuc's name is ... Dave?
No idea. I was talking to Davenn. Which I think I misread in my bleary-eyed state as Dave N.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
Excuse me while I repair to high dungeon to revise my worldview..
As a place name, you should capitalise "High Dungeon".
Maybe you are in "high dudgeon" ?
 
Baluncore said:
Maybe you are in "high dudgeon" ?
Clutching my...
1697208693946.png


Sorry. I digress.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
Astronuc's name is ... Dave?

Excuse me while I repair to high dungeon to revise my worldview..
Drakkith's question was directed to davenn, the OP. I provided an answer.
 
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