Recent earthquake activity – Are we just days away from the big one?
Ian Brockwell
April 28, 2008
Less than 2 weeks ago a report stated that California has a 99% chance of a "big" earthquake within the next 30 years (magnitude 7.5 or greater), and with all the recent earthquake activity, could this be much sooner than expected?
Scientists have urged residents in northern Nevada´s largest city (Reno) to prepare for a bigger event, following 2 months of earthquake activity in the area. The latest quake on Friday (magnitude 4.7), was the largest since 1953 (magnitude 5.2).
There have of course been bigger earthquakes in the region: Landers 7.3 (1992), Little Skull Mountain 5.7 (1992), Fairview Peak 7.1 (1954), Eureka 6.5 (1954), Excelsior Mountains 6.5 (1934), Parkfield 6.1 (1934) and others.
In truth, there has been considerable activity in many other places in the world, especially around the "Ring of Fire". The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean. In a 40,000 km horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements.
Normally, a large earthquake is followed by much smaller ones (aftershocks). However, the pattern seen in Nevada is the complete opposite, where the quakes are growing stronger each time. This has raised some questions and a small number of people have even suggested that they may be "manmade" (although only a very small group of people follow this line of thought). Apparently, the suggestion was that the government were looking to create a "natural" disaster in order to declare a state of emergency and impose Martial Law. This seems a little far-fetched, but I suppose anything is possible?
My own personal opinion is that an earthquake greater than magnitude 7.0 is more than possible in the next few days, but the exact location is difficult to predict (I´m not a scientist). If I had to make a guess, I would choose Reno, followed by Eureka, California, but it is only a guess!
Perhaps more worrying (except for those living in the worst hit areas), is the potential of a large earthquake setting off activity in other areas (maybe hundreds or even thousands of miles away). One such area would be Yellowstone Park, the site of a huge supervolcano. There has already been some "changes" taking place there, and perhaps such a disturbance could trigger a much worse scenario?
One thing is certain, something is happening, and all we can do is wait and hope that it won´t be too serious. But these events are unavoidable and it´s only a matter of time before the big one arrives.
Scientists have urged residents in northern Nevada´s largest city (Reno) to prepare for a bigger event, following 2 months of earthquake activity in the area. The latest quake on Friday (magnitude 4.7), was the largest since 1953 (magnitude 5.2).
There have of course been bigger earthquakes in the region: Landers 7.3 (1992), Little Skull Mountain 5.7 (1992), Fairview Peak 7.1 (1954), Eureka 6.5 (1954), Excelsior Mountains 6.5 (1934), Parkfield 6.1 (1934) and others.
In truth, there has been considerable activity in many other places in the world, especially around the "Ring of Fire". The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean. In a 40,000 km horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements.
Normally, a large earthquake is followed by much smaller ones (aftershocks). However, the pattern seen in Nevada is the complete opposite, where the quakes are growing stronger each time. This has raised some questions and a small number of people have even suggested that they may be "manmade" (although only a very small group of people follow this line of thought). Apparently, the suggestion was that the government were looking to create a "natural" disaster in order to declare a state of emergency and impose Martial Law. This seems a little far-fetched, but I suppose anything is possible?My own personal opinion is that an earthquake greater than magnitude 7.0 is more than possible in the next few days, but the exact location is difficult to predict (I´m not a scientist). If I had to make a guess, I would choose Reno, followed by Eureka, California, but it is only a guess!
Perhaps more worrying (except for those living in the worst hit areas), is the potential of a large earthquake setting off activity in other areas (maybe hundreds or even thousands of miles away). One such area would be Yellowstone Park, the site of a huge supervolcano. There has already been some "changes" taking place there, and perhaps such a disturbance could trigger a much worse scenario?
One thing is certain, something is happening, and all we can do is wait and hope that it won´t be too serious. But these events are unavoidable and it´s only a matter of time before the big one arrives.
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