2 years ago
Is there any scientific explanation for the high number of earthquakes this year?
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M$3 Answers
The 8.8 magnitude quake that hit Chile on February 27, 2010 caused a major shift of mass in the earth. Scientists believe it went so far as to shorten the day by 1.26 microseconds. This quake actually moved the city of Concepcion by 10 feet. While tectonic plates are independent, some scientists believe that a seismic event thousands of miles away can trigger another seismic event. (So, some believe the Japan quake may have triggered the Chile quake.) The earth is constantly in flux. Some plates have been relatively stable for quite some time, but the pressure under them has not stopped building, so with each day the likelihood of a quake increases, and any number of natural "pressure" events can trigger it, including interestingly enough, damming a river.
According to the US Geological Survey, there has not been an overall increase in earthquakes, although there does seem to be an increase in the intensity of earthquakes if you look at their research. They do however explain why this may not actually be an increase.
Here's a blurb from the USGS website:
"Are Earthquakes Really on the Increase?
We continue to be asked by many people throughout the world if earthquakes are on the increase. Although it may seem that we are having more earthquakes, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained fairly constant.
A partial explanation may lie in the fact that in the last twenty years, we have definitely had an increase in the number of earthquakes we have been able to locate each year. This is because of the tremendous increase in the number of seismograph stations in the world and the many improvements in global communications. In 1931, there were about 350 stations operating in the world; today, there are more than 8,000 stations and the data now comes in rapidly from these stations by electronic mail, internet and satellite. This increase in the number of stations and the more timely receipt of data has allowed us and other seismological centers to locate earthquakes more rapidly and to locate many small earthquakes which were undetected in earlier years. The NEIC now locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year or approximately 50 per day. Also, because of the improvements in communications and the increased interest in the environment and natural disasters, the public now learns about more earthquakes.
According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 17 major earthquakes (7.0 - 7.9) and one great earthquake (8.0 or above) in any given year. "
And this is a map of the major quakes around the world in the first few months of 2010:
.
According to the US Geological Survey, there has not been an overall increase in earthquakes, although there does seem to be an increase in the intensity of earthquakes if you look at their research. They do however explain why this may not actually be an increase.
Here's a blurb from the USGS website:
"Are Earthquakes Really on the Increase?
We continue to be asked by many people throughout the world if earthquakes are on the increase. Although it may seem that we are having more earthquakes, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained fairly constant.
A partial explanation may lie in the fact that in the last twenty years, we have definitely had an increase in the number of earthquakes we have been able to locate each year. This is because of the tremendous increase in the number of seismograph stations in the world and the many improvements in global communications. In 1931, there were about 350 stations operating in the world; today, there are more than 8,000 stations and the data now comes in rapidly from these stations by electronic mail, internet and satellite. This increase in the number of stations and the more timely receipt of data has allowed us and other seismological centers to locate earthquakes more rapidly and to locate many small earthquakes which were undetected in earlier years. The NEIC now locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year or approximately 50 per day. Also, because of the improvements in communications and the increased interest in the environment and natural disasters, the public now learns about more earthquakes.
According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 17 major earthquakes (7.0 - 7.9) and one great earthquake (8.0 or above) in any given year. "
And this is a map of the major quakes around the world in the first few months of 2010:
.
images:
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M$
We are standing in the Holy judgement and mankind is now reaping that which it has sown over past millennia. Never before in the history of mankind has there been such a proliferation and acceleration of so-called 'natural' catastrophies.
These will become more even more pronounced and more deadly over the coming years and nothing little man tries to do now can alter anything; it is too late for that.
The main cause for these upheavals is: A Comet! It's radiations already have this earth in its grip.
It is of exactly the same consistency as the Star of Bethlehem and contains spiritual power. It will become visible to mankind when it passes into the gross material world of our universe and is to be expected relatively soon. When it appears on the scene the upheavals on this earth will become terrifying. It will lift the waters up high and the earth will tremble and shake, volcanic activity will increase. The greater part of mankind will be lost.
I do not speak from fiction but from knowledge! This is the time of the harvest of all spirits in this part of creation. The so-called experts have no knowledge of this as they have often or always denied the existence of God. Their erroneous beliefs, however, cannot change the final outcome. Mankind has been warned about this for thousands of years but even ignored, villified and then murdered the Son of God.
I wish all readers who are genuinely concerned and whose hearts and minds are not closed to what is happening today to seek fervently for the Truth. It exists on this earth today but is not to be found amongst the religions of this earth. Seek and ye shall find! Knock and the door shall be opened to you!
These will become more even more pronounced and more deadly over the coming years and nothing little man tries to do now can alter anything; it is too late for that.
The main cause for these upheavals is: A Comet! It's radiations already have this earth in its grip.
It is of exactly the same consistency as the Star of Bethlehem and contains spiritual power. It will become visible to mankind when it passes into the gross material world of our universe and is to be expected relatively soon. When it appears on the scene the upheavals on this earth will become terrifying. It will lift the waters up high and the earth will tremble and shake, volcanic activity will increase. The greater part of mankind will be lost.
I do not speak from fiction but from knowledge! This is the time of the harvest of all spirits in this part of creation. The so-called experts have no knowledge of this as they have often or always denied the existence of God. Their erroneous beliefs, however, cannot change the final outcome. Mankind has been warned about this for thousands of years but even ignored, villified and then murdered the Son of God.
I wish all readers who are genuinely concerned and whose hearts and minds are not closed to what is happening today to seek fervently for the Truth. It exists on this earth today but is not to be found amongst the religions of this earth. Seek and ye shall find! Knock and the door shall be opened to you!
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M$
This question was asked before; see explanations here:
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/environment/why-so-many-earthquakes
I give again the website that explores the myth of sudden increase in the number of earthquakes
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?faqID=110
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/environment/why-so-many-earthquakes
I give again the website that explores the myth of sudden increase in the number of earthquakes
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?faqID=110
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M$
I didn't misquote you. By "in fact I quote from your answer. ", I didn't mean
"If earthquakes are triggered thousands of miles away it would explain why there are so many in a short time." is a quote of your answer. I meant that in my first comment, I quoted from your answer. It's a misunderstanding because I should have said quoted, my bad.
The issue was to shed light on why you wrote that passage starting with "While tectonic plates are independent, ..." and also I argued against the blog in the sources.
I do not have comments about other parts of your answer.
Though still some parts are unclear for me, my understanding is clearer than at the first reading.
I do not compete for BA, I am interested in the truth.
Me too - interested in truth. I did some research before answering and gave the information I found. I didn't try to say that something was fact if it wasn't, only that some scientists think - meaning they are considering the possibility. I will try to be more exact in the future, although it's science, therefore ever changing. :-)
Here's the actual question: "Is there any scientific explanation for the high number of earthquakes this year?"
Here's the sentences you seem to refer to in the 1st paragraph of my answer used as background for the next paragraphs that actually answer the question: "While tectonic plates are independent, some scientists believe that a seismic event thousands of miles away can trigger another seismic event. (So, some believe the Japan quake may have triggered the Chile quake.)"
At no time did I say that the theory that one earthquake might trigger another earthquake thousands of miles away was the reason there were more earthquakes. In fact, my answer definitely infers that there aren't more earthquakes given the statistics I provide from the USGS.
Please do not misquote me. I would not want there to be any misunderstandings. Thanks.
Unfortunately, I do not have time to delve into this deeper and track down specific quotes, papers, websites other than what's already offered. And while your comment would lead to a very interesting conversation about earthquakes in general, it isn't really related to the original question. The first paragraph of general context in my answer was background to indicate that while science has acquired a lot of information concerning earthquakes, it's still very much in a theory development mode. I was not attempting to convey fear mongering nor complacency for that matter, only sharing some of the ideas floating within the science community, as a perspective for the specifically scientific USGS data presented, which does specifically answer the question. The whole USGS site is very interesting. I would read more than the one page I cited if you want to find out more about earthquakes. Thanks.
Interesting info, but can you say which are the scientists that you talk about in
"While tectonic plates are independent, some scientists believe that a seismic event thousands of miles away can trigger another seismic event. (So, some believe the Japan quake may have triggered the Chile quake.) "
http://justanothercoverup.com/?p=838 is a blog that for me seems to be a site interested in fear mongering. Is this the scientific proof?
As for "Scientists believe it went so far as to shorten the day by 1.26 microseconds.", it may be useful to quote again CNN: "Such changes aren't unheard of."
My comment is related to the question; in fact I quote from your answer.
If earthquakes are triggered thousands of miles away it would explain why there are so many in a short time. The question is : can this really happen? You didn't provide back up for that, except, in your words, that it's an idea floating in the science community.