Posts for 'Earthquake' Category

California Earthquakes

California earthquakes are developed by movement of huge blocks of the earth's crust; the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate is moving northwest, scraping horizontally past the North American Plate at a rate of about 2 inches per year. About two-thirds of this movement occurs on the San Andreas fault and some other parallel faults. Over time, these faults produce about half of the significant earthquakes of the region, as well as many minor earthquakes.

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A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake has been reported southeast of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. There have been no immediate reports of any significant damages or alerts of a tsunami. On Wednesday, Japan was hit with a 6.4-magnitude earthquake near the Ryukyu Islands, according to the United States Geological Survey. Earlier, the USGS had the earthquake measured at 6.1 but later upgraded it.

The Associated Press reports that there have been no reports of fatalities, injured or significant damages. The proper authorities have not issued a tsunami alert for the region. The earthquake was located 145 miles east of Okinawa and 890 miles southwest of Tokyo. The earthquake had a depth of 6.2 miles. This is not the first time that Japan has been hit by a 6.0-magnitude+ earthquake. In March, Tokyo was struck by a 6.6-magnitude quake. In 1995, Kobe, Japan was rocked by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which killed 6,400 people.

The risk of a major earthquake striking the Pacific Northwest within the next half-century is greater than once thought, researchers have found using a new series of geological observations another reminder to British Columbians to be prepared. Earlier estimates forecasted that a major earthquake similar in size to those which hit China, Mexico and Chile in recent months is likely to strike the B.C. coast once every 500 years. That estimate was based on the long-accepted belief that the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which lies off the west coast of North America and runs from Northern California up to British Columbia, will trigger one large earthquake for the entire zone.

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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale occurred in western Brazil at 12.18am Tuesday.
According to a statement from the Malaysian Meteorogical Department, the epicentre is located at 8.1 degress south and 71.6 degrees west, 749km northeast of Lima, Peru, and 18,879km southwest of Kunak, Sabah. There is no tsunami threat to Malaysia, the statement adds.

Seismologists say a 5.9-magnitude earthquake has shaken southern Peru. There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The U.S. Geological Survey says the temblor struck at 5:46 p.m. local time (2246GMT) Sunday. Its epicenter was near the city of Ayacucho, and about 225 miles (360 kilometers) from the capital of Lima. The USGS measured the depth of the quake at 68 miles (110 kilometers). RPP radio says shaking was felt in the regions of Ayacucho, Apurimac, Ica and southern Lima.

Benton County residents ran into the streets searching for answers Thursday night after a 2.6 magnitude earthquake gave everyone a shaky surprise. The earthquake took place at 7:01 p.m. "I heard a boom, and a rumble and my dishes started shaking, I ran to the bedroom to my husband and I asked, 'what was that?'" That was the reaction from Katie, who was washing dishes in Bentonville at the time of the quake.

Her husband said he's scared; two earthquakes have now hit the county in less than a month. "I'm not very stable I'm ready to run," said Katie's husband. "I'd rather have a tornado than have earthquakes, because you can run away from a tornado, an earthquake you're just going to fall in the ground.

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A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has struck near the Bio-Bio region of Chile, just off the central coast. There are no reports of major damage or injuries from the latest temblor and no Tsunami watches or warnings have been issued. Chile Earthquake: Magnitude 6.4 Quake Strikes Off Chile’s Central Coast The USGS said that a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the central coast of Chile at about 9:45 p.m. EST this evening, May 3, 2010.

The epicenter was approximately 94 miles S-SW of Concepcion, Chile and had a depth of 12 miles. The region has undergone hundred’s of quakes since the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on February 27, 2010, causing at least 486 people to lose their lives. A 5.9 magnitude hit the area yesterday. Tens of thousands of people are said to still be living in huts and tents since the February quake.

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The latest official maps of California's earthquake faults and general geology are digital for the first time and can be viewed on the Internet with a Google map interface. It's no surprise that much of California is lined with faults, but the state's top geologist says the new maps will be an important and more accurate tool for planners, businesses and others looking at potential geologic hazards.

"This will enhance the ability of the general public to look at fault maps," said John Parrish, the state geologist. The release of the maps  just the fifth edition of the state's geologic map  was timed to coincide with the state Geological Survey's 150th anniversary.

"All of the previous versions of these maps were done the old-fashioned way," Parrish said. "It's very clear what you're seeing (with the new maps.) It's very detailed." From its early days as a mapper of minerals, especially gold, the geologic survey now is more concerned with earthquake faults and the locations of soils that might be subject to liquefaction in a temblor.

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USGS reports that a 8.1 magnitude earthquake killed at least 149 people killed in Samoa, 34 people in American Samoa and nine people killed and four injured on Niuatoputapu, Tonga. It also reports widespread damage to infrastructure at Pago Pago, American Samoa, in many parts of Samoa and on Niuatoputapu, Tonga. Samoa is located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and northeast of New Zealand.

One year to the day, Italy has remembered its earthquake dead. 308 bell tolls were rung, one for each person killed in the natural disaster. For many residents, it was a moment of sombre reflection. More than 1600 people were hurt in the catastrophe and an estimated 60,000 more were made homeless when the 6.2 quake struck at 3.32 in the morning local time.

Earlier, thousands of people gathered for a vigil with many carrying candles in the hope of a brighter future for the ring fenced central Italian town. Despite initial praise for the government led recovery operation, many residents remain frustrated that 12 months on, no clear plan exists to rebuild the historic centre of L’Aquila.

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