M7.6 Quake Strikes Vanuatu Region

Powerful 7.6Mw Quake Strikes Near Isangel, Vanuatu

The earthquake struck at a depth of 20 km, possibly creating a local tsunami

This earthquake was preceded by at least 3 significant foreshocks in the past 48 hours, the largest of which measured 5.7Mw.

FIRE-EARTH Forecast:  A megaquake could strike Vanuatu Region/ Kermadec Islands Region/New Zealand with a probability of 68%.

10-degree Map Centered at 20°S,170°E

EQ Location Map. Source: USGS. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH

Tsunami Warning/Advisory

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has just issued the following Bulletin

WEPA40 PHEB 251326
TSUPAC

TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 001
PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS
ISSUED AT 1326Z 25 DEC 2010

THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO AREAS WITHIN AND BORDERING THE PACIFIC
OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS…EXCEPT ALASKA…BRITISH COLUMBIA…
WASHINGTON…OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.

… A TSUNAMI WARNING IS IN EFFECT …

A TSUNAMI WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR

VANUATU / NEW CALEDONIA / FIJI

FOR ALL OTHER AREAS COVERED BY THIS BULLETIN… IT IS FOR
INFORMATION ONLY AT THIS TIME.

THIS BULLETIN IS ISSUED AS ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ONLY
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE
DECISIONS REGARDING THE OFFICIAL STATE OF ALERT IN THEIR AREA AND
ANY ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN RESPONSE.

AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

ORIGIN TIME – 1317Z 25 DEC 2010
COORDINATES – 19.7 SOUTH 168.0 EAST
DEPTH – 33 KM
LOCATION – VANUATU ISLANDS REGION
MAGNITUDE – 7.6

EVALUATION

IT IS NOT KNOWN THAT A TSUNAMI WAS GENERATED. THIS WARNING IS
BASED ONLY ON THE EARTHQUAKE EVALUATION. AN EARTHQUAKE OF THIS
SIZE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GENERATE A DESTRUCTIVE TSUNAMI THAT CAN
STRIKE COASTLINES IN THE REGION NEAR THE EPICENTER WITHIN MINUTES
TO HOURS. AUTHORITIES IN THE REGION SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE
ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS POSSIBILITY. THIS CENTER WILL MONITOR
SEA LEVEL GAUGES NEAREST THE REGION AND REPORT IF ANY TSUNAMI
WAVE ACTIVITY IS OBSERVED. THE WARNING WILL NOT EXPAND TO OTHER
AREAS OF THE PACIFIC UNLESS ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED TO
WARRANT SUCH AN EXPANSION.

ESTIMATED INITIAL TSUNAMI WAVE ARRIVAL TIMES AT FORECAST POINTS
WITHIN THE WARNING AND WATCH AREAS ARE GIVEN BELOW. ACTUAL
ARRIVAL TIMES MAY DIFFER AND THE INITIAL WAVE MAY NOT BE THE
LARGEST. A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF WAVES AND THE TIME BETWEEN
SUCCESSIVE WAVES CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO ONE HOUR.

LOCATION FORECAST POINT COORDINATES ARRIVAL TIME
——————————– ———— ————
VANUATU ANATOM IS. 20.2S 169.9E 1338Z 25 DEC
ESPERITU SANTO 15.1S 167.3E 1404Z 25 DEC
NEW CALEDONIA NOUMEA 22.3S 166.5E 1359Z 25 DEC
FIJI SUVA 18.5S 178.5E 1512Z 25 DEC

BULLETINS WILL BE ISSUED HOURLY OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS WARRANT.
THE TSUNAMI WARNING WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER WILL ISSUE PRODUCTS
FOR ALASKA…BRITISH COLUMBIA…WASHINGTON…OREGON…CALIFORNIA.

Earthquake Details

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin
Region: Vanuatu Islands Region
Time: 2010-12-25 13:16:38.7 UTC
Magnitude: 7.7
Epicenter: 167.96°E, 19.76°S
Depth: 20 km
Status: manually revised

USGS/EHP

• Magnitude: 7.6
• Date-Time: Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 13:16:38 UTC
• Location: 19.759°S, 167.974°E
• Depth: 24.4 km (15.2 miles)
• Region: VANUATU REGION

• Distances
  • 138 km (86 miles) W (259°) from Isangel, Vanuatu
  • 196 km (122 miles) N (3°) from Tadine, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
  • 226 km (140 miles) S (189°) from PORT-VILA, Vanuatu
  • 1,749 km (1087 miles) ENE (64°) from Brisbane, Australia

• Location Uncertainty:
  • horizontal +/- 16.3 km (10.1 miles);
  • depth +/- 1.4 km (0.9 miles)

• Source: U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: World Data Center for Seismology, Denver
• Event ID usc0000usf

Aftershocks

Hundreds of aftershocks should be expected to strike the area in the coming days and weeks.

Related Links:

• Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising
• 3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet
• Global Earthquakes
• Japan Earthquakes
• Arabia Shakes

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

M7.4 Quake Strikes S. Papua, Indonesia

Powerful 7.4Mw Earthquake Strikes NNW of Dobo, Kepulauan Aru Islands, Indonesia

Indonesia’s Geophysics officials measured the earthquake at 7.4Mw while the USGS/EHP faulty equipment [;)] recorded two shocks measuring 6.2 and 7.2Mw respectively.

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS. Enhanced by FEWW

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude:  7.4 [As recorded by Indonesian seismologists]
  Date-Time:
  
  • Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 17:11:24 UTC
  • Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 02:11:24 AM at epicenter
• Location 4.920°S, 133.783°E
• Depth: 12.3 km (7.6 miles)
• Region: NEAR THE SOUTH COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
  Distances:
  • 105 km (65 miles) NNW of Dobo, Kepulauan Aru, Indonesia
  • 310 km (190 miles) WSW of Enarotali, Papua, Indonesia
  • 900 km (560 miles) NNE of DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia
  • 2,985 km (1850 miles) E of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 13.7 km (8.5 miles); depth +/- 2.6 km (1.6 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D

Casualties

There was no report of damage and casualties as of posting.

Tsunami

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued NO tsunami warning for the region.

September 30, 2009

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed more than 1,000 people in Padang, western Sumatra, exactly a year ago today..

FEWW Forecast

• Indonesia Earthquake Warning [Posted on August 6, 2010]
  

Indonesia Earthquakes

• Indonesia Earthquake Information
• Badan Meteorologi dan Geofisika – BMG
• ASEAN Earthquake Information Center
• Volcanological Survey of Indonesia

Related Links:

• FEWW Earthquake Links
• Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising [Posted on July 20, 2010]

Powerful Quake Strikes Christchurch, NZ

Collapse of NZ May Have Started

Earthquake measuring up to 7.4Mw Jolts Much of South Island, New Zealand

The quake occurred close to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, and New Zealand’ second-largest urban area.

The mainshock was followed by at least one large aftershock measuring up to 5.5Mw.

The earthquake has caused widespread damage, but there were no reports of deaths as of posting. Two were seriously injured.

There was no report of a destructive tsunami.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker described the event as “sharp, vicious earthquake” which had caused “significant damage” in the area.

Daylight had shown that the extent of destruction was considerably more significant than initially thought, he said on NZ radio.

“There would not be a house, there would not be a family in our city that has not in some way have damage done to their person, to their property.”

“I think it’s like an iceberg; there is… below the visible line, significant structural damage,” the mayor said.

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS. Enhanced by FEWW

Photo by Debbie McBride: “There have been something like 30 after shocks since the quake, it’s such a horrible scary time – we feel like we are on edge and constantly moving.” More Photos …

A part of the premises of a gas station is raised at Bexley in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.. (AP Photo/NZPA, David Alexander). Image may be subject to copyright.

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude 7.0 [USGS politically revised estimate]
• Date-Time:
  • Friday, September 03, 2010 at 16:35:46 UTC
  • Saturday, September 04, 2010 at 04:35:46 AM at epicenter
• Location: 43.530°S, 172.120°E
• Depth: 5 km (3.1 miles)
• Region: SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
• Distances:
  • 45 km (30 miles) W of Christchurch, New Zealand
  • 200 km (125 miles) SSE of Westport, New Zealand
  • 290 km (180 miles) NNE of Dunedin, New Zealand
  • 330 km (205 miles) SW of WELLINGTON, New Zealand
• Location Uncertainty Error:  estimate not available
• Source: Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
• Event ID: us2010atbj

FEWW FORECAST FOR NEW ZEALAND – POSTED ON September 30, 2008

I. Implication for New Zealand Islands:

• A substantial increase in the frequency of earthquake striking the twin islands.
• More earthquakes with magnitude 6 or larger.
• A marked increased in large explosive volcanic eruptions, especially in the following zones [also include ‘extinct’ volcanoes]
  • Taupo Volcanic Zone
  • Bombay Hills
  • Auckland volcanic field
  • Mount Taranaki
  • Mt Horrible volcano
  • Mount Taranaki
  • Mount Cargill

II. Worst Case Condition for New Zealand Islands:

• Large earthquakes and massive volcanic eruptions could potentially destroy much of New Zealand structures and claim many lives.
• Earthquake and volcano-triggered waves could also give rise to 40 to 50-meter tsunami that would engulf the coastal areas and low-lying lands throughout New Zealand [could also affect parts of Australia’s eastern seaboard,] compounding the damage.
• A super/mega colossal Plinian/Ultra-Plinian eruption occurring in New Zealand’s North Island simultaneously [or within a short period of time] with a magnitude 9.8 earthquake off the eastern coast of New Zealand could claim many lives.
• Probability of occurrence:
  1. Event 1.  A magnitude 9.8 earthquake striking off the eastern coast of New Zealand with (i) the foreshocks ripping through Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo areas, (ii) the mainshock leveling Wellington, Palmerstone North, Marlborough, Nelson and Christchurch, and (iii) the aftershock causing substantial damage as far south as Invercargill: 85%
  2. Event 2. A super/ mega colossal Plinian/Ultra-Plinian eruption in the North Island: 72%  [South Island: 57%]
  3. Event 1 and Event 2 occurring simultaneously, or within a short period of time: 64 %

What New Zealand Earthquake Experts Said

Interestingly, our colleague TERRES wrote on April 13, 2009

Apparently, New Zealanders are advised by their experts not to worry about the ‘big one.’

Quakes ‘no cause for worry’
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2308107/Quakes-no-cause-for-worry

Related Links:

• New Round of Geo-Assualt at Kermadec Trench
• Strong Quake Strikes Off Coast of NI, NZ
• Mt Ruapehu Eruption Alert
• Mag 5.3 Earthquake Rattles North Island, NZ
• Magnitude 7 Earthquake Hits Kermadec Islands

• Magnitude 6.8 Quake strikes Kermadec Isls Region
• Powerful 7.8 M Quake Strikes New Zealand Region
• http://newzeelend.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/a-warning-to-new-zealand-visitors/

• FEWW Earthquake Links

Related News:

• Christchurch earthquake causes widespread disruption

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Mariana Islands Region

Quake measuring up to 7.4Mw strikes WSW of Hagatna, Guam

Epicentered at 12.409°N, 141.487°E, the quake struck about 375 km (230 miles) WSW of HAGATNA, Guam, at a depth of 4.7km on August 13, 2010 at 21:19:32 UTC, USGS/EHP reported.

Aftershocks

The mainshock was followed by about a dozen aftershocks, the largest of which measured up to 6.6Mw, as of posting.

Tsunami
NO Pacific-wide destructive tsunami was expected, NWS Pacific Tsunami Center said.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 7.2
• Date-Time:
  • Friday, August 13, 2010 at 21:19:32 UTC
  • Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 07:19:32 AM at epicenter
• Location: 12.409°N, 141.487°E
• Depth 4.7 km (2.9 miles) (poorly constrained)
• Region MARIANA ISLANDS REGION
• Distances:
  • 375 km (230 miles) WSW of HAGATNA, Guam
  • 445 km (275 miles) WSW of Rota, Northern Mariana Islands
  • 485 km (300 miles) NE of Yap, Micronesia
  • 550 km (340 miles) WSW of SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 14.6 km (9.1 miles); depth +/- 5.1 km (3.2 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010zxcf

10-degree Map Centered at 10°N,140°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

• Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising
• Latest Significant Earthquakes
• New Wave of Powerful Quakes Jolts the Planet
• 3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet
• M 7.4 Quake Strikes Vanuatu Islands

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Indonesia Earthquake Warning

Large Earthquake Could Strike Banda Sea, Indonesia

Fire-Earth’s EarthModel simulations show a large earthquake could strike Banda Sea, Indonesia possibly close to the west coast of Irian Jaya Barat.

Related Links:

• Middle East Earthquake Warning
• Taiwan Earthquake Warning
• Peru Earthquake Warning
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Latest Significant Earthquakes

Summary of Significant Seismic Events in the Last 36 Hours

[NOTE: Allow an additional  0.3Mw  to 0.6Mw to compensate for USGS/EHP political downgrading of the following quake magnitudes.]

Magnitude 7.0 – NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• Date-Time: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 22:01:43 UTC
• Location 5.768°S, 150.776°E
• Depth 44 km (27.3 miles) set by location program

10-degree Map Centered at 5°S,150°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

Magnitude 6.0 – EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS

• Date-Time: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 23:48:02 UTC
• Location: 45.964°N, 153.216°E
• Depth: 33.6 km (20.9 miles)

Magnitude 6.4 – ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA

• Date-Time: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 12:58:24 UTC
• Location: 51.426°N, 178.607°W
• Depth 27 km (16.8 miles)

Magnitude 6.4 – EASTERN NEW GUINEA REG, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• Date-Time: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 07:15:33 UTC
• Location: 5.521°S, 146.793°E
• Depth: 213.6 km (132.7 miles) set by location program

Magnitude 6.0 – SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS

• Date-Time: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 04:46:21 UTC
• Location: 26.953°S, 177.148°W
• Depth: 23.7 km (14.7 miles)

Magnitude: 6.3 – MOLUCCA SEA

• Date-Time: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 at 12:08:26 UTC
• Location: 1.243°N, 126.277°E
• Depth: 42.8 km (26.6 miles)

See Also:

New Wave of Powerful Quakes Jolts the Planet

Related Links:

• Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising
• 3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet

• Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal – July 7
• M6.5 Strikes East Coast of Honshu, Japan

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico
• Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan

More Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Fire-Earth Quake Forecasts and previous events:

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Nr Pandan Philippines
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.5 + (see entry for FEWW Forecast).

M5.7 Earthquake Strikes NE Iran

5.7Mw quake jolts Iran’s NE city of Torbat-e Heydarieh, injuring at least 100 people, trapping dozens more under rubble

“There were no immediate reports of any mortalities in earthquake. However, it is widely believed that a large number of people are trapped under the rubble, and the casualties are expected to be high,” an official said, Press TV reported.

10-degree Map Centered at 35°N,60°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

The earthquake occurred at about  06:20 p.m. local time (13:50UTC) shaking the the city (population: 400,000) for about 10 seconds, “causing excessive telecom disconnections, IRNA reported.”

Building in the  rural areas near the epicenter sustained 50 to 80 percent damage, the local governor told news agencies.

The Iranian Seismology Center said the quake struck about 7 km (4.3 miles) outside the city at a depth of about 7 km .

A magnitude-4.9 quake struck the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, injuring more than 700 people, the report said.

“In 2008, a strong earthquake measuring 6.1 in magnitude struck in Hormozgan, demolishing nearly 200 villages and killing at least six people,”  a report said.

In 2003 a 6.7Mw quake struck near the city of Bam in Iran’s Kerman province killing about 25,000 people.

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude: 5.6 [USGS/EHP estimate]
• Date-Time:
  • Friday, July 30, 2010 at 13:50:14 UTC
  • Friday, July 30, 2010 at 05:20:14 PM at epicenter
• Location: 35.225°N, 59.271°E
• Depth: 26.1 km (16.2 miles) — [7km- see text]
• Region: NORTHEASTERN IRAN
• Distances:
  • 7km (4.3miles) Torbat-e Heydariyeh, Iran
  • 115 km (75 miles) SSE of Neyshabur, Iran
  • 125 km (75 miles) SSW of Mashhad, Iran
  • 715 km (445 miles) E of TEHRAN, Iran
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 3.7 km (2.3 miles);
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010zibd

Fire-Earth Quake Forecasts and previous events:

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Nr Pandan Philippines
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.5 + (Click Link for FEWW Forecast).

Recent significant quakes:

Region: Off East Coast of Kamchatka
Time: 2010-07-30 03:56:13.2 UTC
Magnitude: 6.5
Epicenter: 160.08°E, 52.41°N
Depth: 14 km
Source: GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin

Related Links:

• New Wave of Powerful Quakes Jolts the Planet

• Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising
• 3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet

• Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal – July 7
• M6.5 Strikes East Coast of Honshu, Japan

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico
• Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan

More Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

New Wave of Powerful Quakes Jolts the Planet

At Least 3 Powerful Earthquakes Strike Mindanao, Philippines

The Largest Quake in the Cluster Measured up  to 7.9M. The quakes struck at a depth of about 600km and did not cause a destructive tsunami.

About a dozen strong aftershocks, the largest of which  measured up to 6.0Mw  followed the mainshock.  

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

The following details were reported by USGS/EHP

• Magnitude: 7.6
• Date-Time:
  • Friday, July 23, 2010 at 22:51:11 UTC
  • Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 06:51:11 AM at epicenter
• Location: 6.494°N, 123.533°E
• Depth: 576.3 km (358.1 miles)
• Region:  MORO GULF, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
• Distances:
  • 114 km (71 miles) SW (224°) from Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines
  • 149 km (93 miles) S (179°) from Pagadian, Mindanao, Philippines
  • 167 km (104 miles) ESE (106°) from Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philippines
  • 946 km (588 miles) SSE (162°) from MANILA, Philippines
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 4.8 km (3.0 miles); depth +/- 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
• Source and ID:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D);  us2010zbca

The other quakes occurred close to the epicenter of the above event and measured up to 7.6 and 7.7 Mw [7.3 and 7.4MW, according to USGS.] The quakes struck at an average depth of about 600km.

Fire-Earth Quake Forecasts and previous events:

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Nr Pandan Philippines
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.5 + (see entry for FEWW Forecast).

Related Links:

• Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising
• 3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet

• Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal – July 7
• M6.5 Strikes East Coast of Honshu, Japan

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico
• Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan

More Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Global Earthquakes Tempi Rising

Intense Volcanic Activity to Follow!

Significant Earthquakes Since July 19, 2010

NOTE: The actual magnitude of the following earthquakes sourced from USGS/EHP could be up to  0.6Mw larger than the reported size.

Magnitude 5.8 – FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA

• Magnitude: 5.8
• Date-Tim:
  • Monday, July 19, 2010 at 08:20:31 UTC
  • Monday, July 19, 2010 at 12:20:31 AM at epicente
• Location: 52.769°N, 169.221°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
• Region: FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
• Distances:
  • 30 km (20 miles) SW of Nikolski, Alaska
  • 100 km (60 miles) E of Yunaska Island, Alaska
  • 1,500 km (930 miles) WSW of Anchorage, Alaska
  • 2,250 km (1400 miles) W of JUNEAU, Alaska
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 6.2 km (3.9 miles); depth fixed by location program
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yxax

Magnitude 5.5 – FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA

• Magnitude: 5.5
• Date-Time:
  • Monday, July 19, 2010 at 08:23:14 UTC
  • Monday, July 19, 2010 at 12:23:14 AM at epicenter
• Location: 52.752°N, 169.580°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
• Region: FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
• Distances:
  • 50 km (30 miles) WSW of Nikolski, Alaska
  • 75 km (45 miles) E of Yunaska Island, Alaska
  • 1,515 km (940 miles) WSW of Anchorage, Alaska
  • 2,280 km (1420 miles) W of JUNEAU, Alaska
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 8.7 km (5.4 miles); depth fixed by location program
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yxay

Magnitude 5.5 – SOUTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE

• Magnitude 5.5
• Date-Time
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 17:19:52 UTC
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 04:19:52 PM at epicenter
• Location: 29.131°S, 13.173°W
• Depth: 19.4 km (12.1 miles)
• Region: SOUTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE
• Distances:
  • 2,906 km (1806 miles) ESE (115°) from Vitoria, Brazil
  • 3,107 km (1930 miles) WSW (250°) from WINDHOEK, Namibia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 15.9 km (9.9 miles); depth +/- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yybt

Magnitude 6.3 – NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The two largest quakes with magnitudes of 7.3 and 6.9 that struck PNG on July 18–19, 2010 [USGS estimates] are marked on the above image. Above color-coded map shows the topography, bathymetry, fault lines and earthquake locations. Source: NASA E/O. Click image to enlarge.

• Magnitude: 6.3
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 19:18:23 UTC
  • Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 05:18:23 AM at epicenter
• Location: 5.917°S, 150.681°E
• Depth: 35.9 km (22.3 miles)
• Region: NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
• Distances:
  • 70 km (45 miles) SE of Kimbe, New Britain, PNG
  • 130 km (80 miles) ENE of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
  • 550 km (340 miles) NE of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
  • 2,400 km (1490 miles) N of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 7.7 km (4.8 miles); depth +/- 18.8 km (11.7 miles)
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yybw

Magnitude 5.8 – SOUTHERN IRAN

• Magnitude: 5.8
• Date-Tim:
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 19:38:09 UTC
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 11:08:09 PM at epicenter
• Location: 27.029°N, 53.866°E
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
• Region: SOUTHERN IRAN
• Distances:
  • 85 km (55 miles) SSW of Lar, Iran
  • 115 km (70 miles) WNW of Bandar-e Lengeh, Iran
  • 165 km (105 miles) S of Jahrom, Iran
  • 990 km (610 miles) SSE of TEHRAN, Iran
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 5.4 km (3.4 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yybz

Magnitude 5.6 – NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• Magnitude: 5.6
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 20:31:09 UTC
  • Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 06:31:09 AM at epicenter
• Location: 6.043°S, 150.660°E
• Depth 40 km (24.9 miles)
• Region: NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
• Distances:
  • 80 km (50 miles) SE of Kimbe, New Britain, PNG
  • 125 km (75 miles) E of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
  • 535 km (335 miles) NE of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
  • 2,385 km (1480 miles) N of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 6 km (3.7 miles); depth +/- 14 km (8.7 miles)
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yyca

NEAR S. COAST OF WESTERN HONSHU, JAPAN

• Magnitude: 5.1
• Time: 06:19 JST  on 21 Jul 2010
• Location: 34.2N 135.7E
• Depth: 60km
• Region Name: Nara-ken
• Distances:
  • 50 km (30 miles) SSE of Osaka, Honshu, Japan
  • 55 km (35 miles) E of Wakayama, Honshu, Japan
  • 75 km (50 miles) S of Kyoto, Honshu, Japan
  • 395 km (245 miles) WSW of TOKYO, Japan

• Source: JMA; USGS/EHP

Related Links:

• 3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet

• M 3.6 Quake Strikes Potomac-Shenandoah, Maryland
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [16 July 2010]
• Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal – July 7
• M6.5 Strikes East Coast of Honshu, Japan

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico
• Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

3 Waves of Significant Quakes Strike Our Planet

There’s NO Place to Hide!

PNG’s New Britain Region, Alaska’s Fox Islands and  E Russia-NE China Border Region Struck by Waves of Significant Earthquakes

Fire-Earth’s earlier forecast:

Global Earthquakes

The Blog Moderators expect more earthquakes, and related disasters, in the 2nd half of 2010 than occurred in the 1st half of this year.

Japan Earthquakes

Japan region could be struck by up to 3 additional strong to large earthquakes by end 2010/early 2011, one of which could be a catastrophic event.

Latest Earthquake Reports: PNG

• Magnitude 7.3 [USGS estimate]
• Date-Time
  • Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 13:35:02 UTC
  • Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 11:35:02 PM at epicenter
• Location: 6.019°S, 150.497°E
• Depth: 57.6 km (35.8 miles)
• Region: NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
• Distances:
  • 65 km (40 miles) SE of Kimbe, New Britain, PNG
  • 105 km (65 miles) ENE of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
  • 525 km (325 miles) NE of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
  • 2385 km (1480 miles) N of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 7.6 km (4.7 miles); depth +/- 14.5 km (9.0 miles)
• Source and Event ID:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D); us2010ywbr

10-degree Map Centered at 5°S,150°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by Fire-Earth.

About 30 minutes earlier, a foreshock measuring as large as 7.2Mw struck the region:

• Magnitude 6.9 [USGS estimate]
• Date-Time
  • Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 13:04:11 UTC
  • Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 11:04:11 PM at epicenter
• Location: 6.000°S, 150.436°E
• Depth: 42 km (26.1 miles)
• Region: NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
• Distances:
  • 60 km (35 miles) SSE of Kimbe, New Britain, PNG
  • 100 km (65 miles) ENE of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
  • 525 km (325 miles) NE of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
  • 2400 km (1490 miles) N of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 4.4 km (2.7 miles); depth +/- 7.8 km (4.8 miles)
• Source and Event ID:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D); us2010ywbk

ALASKA

FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA was struck by significant quake measuring up to 7.1Mw.

• Magnitude 6.7 [USGS estimate]
• Date-Time:
  • Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 05:56:44 UTC
  • Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 09:56:44 PM at epicenter
• Location: 52.861°N, 169.839°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
• Region: FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
• Distances:
  • 60 km (40 miles) ENE of Yunaska Island, Alaska
  • 65 km (40 miles) W of Nikolski, Alaska
  • 1515 km (940 miles) WSW of Anchorage, Alaska
  • 2295 km (1420 miles) W of JUNEAU, Alaska
• Source and Event ID: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D); us2010ywaq

About 14 hours later, a significant aftershock measuring as large as 6.4Mw struck the region:

Magnitude 5.8 [USGS estimate]

• Date-Time:
• Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 19:48:09 UTC
• Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 11:48:09 AM at epicenter
• Location: 52.853°N, 169.662°W
• Depth: 41 km (25.5 miles)
• Region: FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
• Distances:
  • 55 km (35 miles) W of Nikolski, Alaska
  • 70 km (45 miles) ENE of Yunaska Island, Alaska
  • 1515 km (940 miles) WSW of Anchorage, Alaska
  • 2280 km (1410 miles) W of JUNEAU, Alaska
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 7.2 km (4.5 miles); depth +/- 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
• Source and Event ID:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D); us2010ywce

E Russia-NE China Border Region

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin

© Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum – GFZ

• Region: E Russia-NE China Border Region
• Time: 2010-07-18 13:42:49.4 UTC
• Magnitude: 6.3
• Epicenter: 132.98°E 48.50°N
• Depth: 10 km
• Status: manually revised

Related Links:

• M 3.6 Quake Strikes Potomac-Shenandoah, Maryland
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [16 July 2010]
• Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal – July 7
• M6.5 Strikes East Coast of Honshu, Japan

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico
• Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal – July 7

Earthquake Measuring up to 5.8Mw Hits S. California

The quake was preceded by a foreshock and followed by about a dozen aftershocks.

One of the aftershocks struck the LA area, but the details were later removed from the USGS/EHP website. The quake and its aftershocks may have caused some structural damage near the epicenter of the mainshock.

As an expression of protest against Google for censoring with impunity information posted on this Blog, Fire Earth has abandoned its research into California earthquakes.

The following details were released by USGS/EHP.

10-degree Map Centered at 35°N,115°W

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 5.4 [See below for source]
• Date-Time: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 23:53:33 UTC [Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 04:53:33 PM at epicenter]
• Location: 33.417°N, 116.483°W
• Depth: 11.7 km (7.3 miles)
• Region: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
• Distances:
  • 20 km (15 miles) NNW of Borrego Springs, California
  • 40 km (25 miles) SW of Indio, California
  • 45 km (30 miles) S of Palm Springs, California
  • 730 km (455 miles) SE of SACRAMENTO, California
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 0.3 km (0.2 miles); depth +/- 0.6 km (0.4 miles)
• Source: California Integrated Seismic Net – USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR
• Event ID: ci10736069

Related Links:

• Strong Earthquake Hits SoCal
• M6.5 Strikes East Coast of Honshu, Japan
• California Earthquake Forecast – Update 4
• Earthquakes

Strong Earthquake Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico

Earthquake Measuring at Least 6.5 Mw Strikes Oaxaca, Mexico

The quake, epicentered at 16.530°N, 97.708°W, struck about 120km WSW of Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico,  at depth of 10km on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 07:22:27 UTC.

The earthquake struck about 100 km WNW of the epicenter of a magnitude 8.0 quake which struck the region on June 17, 1928.

This quake has the potential to trigger one or more eruptions at volcanoes  in the region.

The shock may well prove to be detrimental to oil and gas drilling activities in the  Gulf of Mexico.

As of posting, there was no report of damage or casualties, but the Moderators believe some structural damage may have occurred locally close to the epicenter, and will post further information on Fire Earth Disaster pages.

10-degree Map Centered at 15°N,100°W

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by Fire-Earth.

Fire-Earth Quake Forecast

The Blog Moderators expect more earthquakes, and related disasters, in the 2nd half of 2010 than occurred in the 1st half of this year.

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude 6.5
• Date-Tim:  Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 07:22:27 UT
• Location: 16.530°N, 97.708°W
• Depth:  10 km (6.2 miles)
• Region: OAXACA, MEXICO
• Distances
  • 120 km (75 miles) WSW of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • 145 km (90 miles) S of Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • 160 km (100 miles) NW of Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • 355 km (220 miles) SSE of MEXICO CITY, D.F., Mexico
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010yday

Related Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Powerful Quake Strikes Solomon Islands

Powerful Earthquake Measuring Up To 7.2Mw Strikes Solomon Islands

The offshore quake struck about 55 km (35 miles) WSW of Kira Kira, on Makira Island, San Cristobal, Solomon Isl., and 210 km southeast of the capital Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, the US Geological Survey EHP said.

The quake epicentered at  10.636°S, 161.443°E and struck at a depth of about 35 kilometres, at 05:30 UTC, and was said to be one of the strongest earthquakes to strike Honiara in more than a decade.

Panicked residents in the capital, fearing a tsunami, were seen fleeing to higher grounds, reports said.

Tsunami Status:

• Tsunami Information Statement from the WC/ATWC
• Tsunami Information Links

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude:  6.7 [USGS/EHP Estimate]
• Date-Tim:
  • Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 05:30:19 UTC
  • Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 04:30:19 PM at epicenter
• Location: 10.636°S, 161.443°E
• Depth: 35 km (21.7 miles)
• Region: SOLOMON ISLANDS
• Distances
  • 55 km (35 miles) WSW of Kira Kira, San Cristobal, Solomon Isl.
  • 210 km (130 miles) SE of HONIARA, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
  • 220 km (140 miles) SSE of Auki, Malaita, Solomon Islands
  • 2,070 km (1280 miles) NNE of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 4.8 km (3.0 miles);
• Sourc: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010xzal

Earthquake Location Map. Source:  USGS/EHP

Related Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan
• Earthquake Forecast 2009

M6.3 Earthquake Strikes Kuril Islands

Strong Quake Measuring M6.3 Strikes Kuril Islands Region East of Japan’s Disputed Island of Iturup (Etorofu-tō)

Fire-Earth Comments: This earthquake may have primed for eruption one or more of the volcanoes on the Iturup (Etorofu-tō) island.

Earthquake Details (JMA):

• Magnitude: 6.3
• Time and Date:  11:23 JST 18 Jun 2010 – (02:23UTC)
• Location: 44.0N, 149.5E
• Depth: 10km
• Region: Etorofuto Nanto-oki

Distances (USGS/EHP)

• 100 km (60 miles) SE of Kuril’sk, Kuril Islands
• 385 km (240 miles) ENE of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
• 475 km (295 miles) ENE of Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
• 7170 km (4450 miles) NE of MOSCOW, Russia
  

Related Links:

• Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan
• Earthquake Forecast 2009

Other Links:

• Earthquake Information for Asia
• Earthquake Information for Japan

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Off Papua, Indonesia

UPDATE @ 08:40UTC

At last a half dozen aftershocks have followed the mainshock including a 6.5Mw, as of posting.

Up to a dozen people have been killed or injured, with more than 500 buildings damaged/destroyed near the epicenter, according to local reports.

Fire-Earth Forecast:  A major quake measuring 8.5Mw or larger, with more significant aftershocks could strike the area.

.

Powerful Quake Measuring Up To 7.5Mw Strikes Near the North Coast of Papua, Indonesia

The powerful shock was preceded by a foreshock measuring at least 6.4Mw.

Tsunami Status

There’s no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami in the Pacific Region, the Pacific Tsunami Center/NOAA/NWS said.

However, the earthquake and its aftershock may have generated destructive  tsunamis along the local coasts within a 100-km radius of the epicenter, the report said.

10-degree Map Centered at 0°N,135°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by Fire-earth.

Details of Mainshock

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin
Region: Irian Jaya Region, Indonesia
Time: 2010-06-16 03:16:29.0 UTC
Magnitude: 7.2
Epicenter: 136.51°E 2.09°S
Depth: 5 km
Status: automatic

Distances (USGS/EHP)

• 185 km (115 miles) N (5°) from Enarotali, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
• 299 km (186 miles) ESE (118°) from Manokwari, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
• 473 km (294 miles) W (275°) from Jayapura, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
• 1,077 km (669 miles) SSE (168°) from KOROR, Palau

Details of Foreshock

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin
Region: Irian Jaya Region, Indonesia
Time: 2010-06-16 03:06:04.4 UTC
Magnitude: 6.2
Epicenter: 136.61°E 2.29°S
Depth: 5 km
Status: automatic

USGS/EHP Links:

Historic Information

• Learning from Earthquakes: Indonesia

Institutions

• Badan Meteorologi dan Geofisika – BMG
• ASEAN Earthquake Information Center
• Volcanological Survey of Indonesia

Maps

• Politcal Map of Indonesia
• Seismic Hazard Map
• Earthquake Density Map
• Seismicity Map of Indonesia

Notable Earthquakes

• Historic Earthquakes in Indonesia

Recent Earthquakes

• Last Earthquake in Indonesia
  from the NEIC Earthquake Bulletin
• BMG Recent Earthquakes

Tectonic Information

• Seismotectonics of the Indonesian Region
• Tectonics of Indonesia
• Geology of Indonesia
• Krakatau Volcano

Related Links:

• Earthquakes

Strong Earthquake Hits SoCal

Earthquake Measuring Up to Magnitude 6.0Mw Strikes Southern California

The quake and its aftershocks may have caused some structural damage near the epicenter.

Fire Earth has abandoned its research into California earthquakes. The following details were released by USGS/EHP.

• Magnitude: 5.9
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 04:26:58 UTC
  • Monday, June 14, 2010 at 09:26:58 PM at epicenter
• Location: 32.698°N, 115.924°W
• Depth: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
• Region: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
• Distances:
  • 8 km (5 miles) SE (124°) from Ocotillo, CA
  • 24 km (15 miles) WSW (244°) from Seeley, CA
  • 26 km (16 miles) ENE (70°) from Jacumba Hot Springs, CA
  • 36 km (22 miles) WSW (254°) from El Centro, CA
  • 104 km (65 miles) E (79°) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 0.5 km (0.3 miles); depth +/- 1.4 km (0.9 miles)
• Parameters: Nph= 62, Dmin=6 km, Rmss=0.32 sec, Gp= 76°, M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=z
• Source:
  • California Integrated Seismic Net:
  • USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR
• Event ID ci14745580

10-degree Map Centered at 35°N,115°W

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP

Related Links:

• California Earthquake Forecast – Update 4
• Earthquakes

Strong Earthquake Strikes East of Honshu, Japan

Quake Measuring 6.2Mw Strikes East of Japan’s Main Island of Honshu

The 6.2Mw quake was epicentered at 37.4N, 141.8E and struck at a depth 40km off the east coast of Honshu near Fukushima Prefecture, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported.

JMA did not issue a tsunami warning, alert or watch.

Tremors were reportedly felt in the neighboring Tokyo,  Miyagi, Yamagata, Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures, but there was no report of damage or injury, as of posting.

Two nuclear power plants located in the Fukushima prefecture were operating normally, The Tokyo Electric Power Co. said, media reported.

Fire Earth Model shows that Japan region could be struck by up to 4 additional strong to large earthquakes possibly this year/early next year, one of which could be a catastrophic event.

Earthquake Details: GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin

• Region: Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan
• Time: 2010-06-13 03:32:57.7 UTC
• Magnitude: 6.2
• Epicenter: 141.75°E 37.47°N
• Depth: 24 km

Distance [USGS/EHP]

• 75 km (45 miles) ENE of Iwaki, Honshu, Japan
• 110 km (65 miles) ESE of Fukushima, Honshu, Japan
• 110 km (70 miles) E of Koriyama, Honshu, Japan
• 255 km (155 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan

Earthquake Location Map. © Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum – GFZ

Related Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan
• Earthquake Forecast 2009

Other Links:

• Earthquake Information for Asia
• Earthquake Information for Japan

Seismic Cluster Strikes Offshore Oregon

Larger Shocks May Occur

Cluster of at least 9 shocks strike offshore Oregon

Earthquake measuring about 5.4Mw struck the offshore Oregon about 500km west of Eugene on Friday, May 07, 2010 at 17:46:15UTC.

Epicenter of the earthquake was located near 44.396°N, 129.437°W and occurred at a depth of  10 km (6.2 miles). The initial shock was followed by at least 8 other events [aftershocks] measuring a mean magnitude of about 4.4Mw.

Center of the cluster was about 1,000km (600 miles) south of  a magnitude 8.1 shock that occurred on the Queen Charlotte Fault off Queen Charlotte Island on August 22, 1949. That event was Canada’s largest earthquake since 1700.

10-degree Map Centered at 45°N,130°W

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Map enhanced by Fire-Earth.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude [USGS Estimate]: 5.1 [Fire Earth Estimate: 5.4, or greater]
• Date-Time:
  • Friday, May 07, 2010 at 17:46:15 UTC
  • Friday, May 07, 2010 at 08:46:15 AM at epicenter
• Location: 44.396°N, 129.437°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Region: OFF THE COAST OF OREGON
• Distances:
  • 424 km (263 miles) W (273°) from Yachats, OR
  • 427 km (265 miles) W (271°) from Waldport, OR
  • 427 km (265 miles) WNW (288°) from Barview, OR
  • 505 km (314 miles) W (276°) from Eugene, OR
  • 549 km (341 miles) W (259°) from Portland, OR

• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 6 km (3.7 miles)

• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010vzbx

Cascadia Subduction Zone

Cascadia Subduction Zone. Source: USGS

Related Links:

• M7.3 Quake Hits Baja, Kills One
• Powerful Quake Strikes Queen Charlotte Islands Region

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Offshore N Calif Posted on February 5, 2010 *
• Strong Quake Strikes Offshore N California Posted on January 10, 2010 *

[* Reference Only. Research suspended see: Calif Earthquake Forecast – Update 4]

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Strong Earthquake Strikes Southern Sumatra

M6.5 Earthquake Strikes Southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia

The strong shock was centered at 4.063°S, 101.085°E and occurred at an estimated depth of about 27km on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 at 16:29:03 UTC, USGS/EHP said.

The earthquake epicenter was located about 50km (31 miles) NNW of a large 8.5Mw quake which struck on September 12, 2007 at a depth of about 34km (21miles) killing at least 25 people.

Tsunami Status

The Pacific Tsunami Center ruled out the possibility of a destructive widespread tsunami as a result of this quake, but did not rule out “a very small possibility of a local tsunami” that may affect the local coasts within a radius of about 100km from the quake’s epicenter.

Fire-Earth Forecast:

Fire-Earth Forecasts large scale volcanic activity in and around Sumatra Region in 2010 and beyond.

10-degree Map Centered at 5°S,100°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Map enhanced by Fire-Earth.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 6.5
• Date-Time:
  • Wednesday, May 05, 2010 at 16:29:03 UTC
  • Wednesday, May 05, 2010 at 11:29:03 PM at epicenter
• Location: 4.063°S, 101.085°E
• Depth: 27 km (16.8 miles)
• Region: SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA
• Distances:
  • 135 km (85 miles) WSW of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia
  • 215 km (135 miles) WSW of Lubuklinggau, Sumatra, Indonesia
  • 355 km (220 miles) SSE of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
  • 680 km (420 miles) WNW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 5.3 km (3.3 miles)
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010vxbk

Related Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

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Serial No 1,677. Starting April 2010, each entry on this blog has a unique serial number. If any of the numbers are missing, it may mean that the corresponding entry has been blocked by Google/the authorities in your country. Please drop us a line if you detect any anomaly/missing number(s).

Japan Region Earthquake Warning

Large Earthquake Could Strike Japan Region

Fire-Earth forecasts a large earthquake in the Japan Region.

Related Links:

• Earthquakes [Links Page]

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Serial No 1,661. Starting April 2010, each entry on this blog has a unique serial number. If any of the numbers are missing, it may mean that the corresponding entry has been blocked by Google/the authorities in your country. Please drop us a line if you detect any anomaly/missing number(s).

Two Strong Quakes Strike Bering Sea

Quakes measuring up to 6.6 and 6.3Mw struck about 470 km SW of Gambell, Alaska

The mainshock was preceded by a foreshock measuring up to 4.6Mw.

The mainshock was centered at 60.644°N, 177.901°W and struck at a depth of of about 12km on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 23:11:44UTC.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center did not issue any tsunami warning, watch or advisory.

According to news reports Tsunami Warning Center officials in Anchorage, Alaska, did not feel the shocks.

10-degree Map Centered at 60°N,180°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Map enhanced by FEWW.

Distances [USGS/EHP]

• 474 km (294 miles) SW (225°) from Gambell, AK
• 478 km (297 miles) SSW (212°) from Provideniya, Russia
• 1510 km (938 miles) W (280°) from Anchorage, AK

Related Links

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

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Serial No 1,655. Starting April 2010, each entry on this blog has a unique serial number. If any of the numbers are missing, it may mean that the corresponding entry has been blocked by Google/the authorities in your country. Please drop us a line if you detect any anomaly/missing number(s).

Strong Quake Strikes KEPULAUAN OBI, INDONESIA

Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Strikes KEPULAUAN OBI, INDONESIA

Strong earthquake measuring 6.4Mw Struck about 205 north of Ambon, Moluccas, Indonesia, just south of the equator.

The earthquake was centered at 128.22°E, 1.85°S  and occurred at a depth of about 41km on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 07:41:02 UTC.

NO tsunami warning/advisory was issued, and as of posting there was no report of damage or casualties.

Indonesian islands sit atop numerous fault line, which make the region one of the most seismically active areas on the planet. See below for a list of the quake in the region.

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin

• Region: Halmahera, Indonesia
• Time: 2010-04-24 07:41:03.2 UTC
• Magnitude: 6.1 [ Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics Agency, BMG, recorded the quake as a 6.4Mw]
• Epicenter: 128.22°E 1.85°S
• Depth: 41 km
• Status: manually revised

© Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum – GFZ

Approximate Distances [USGS/EHP]:

• 205 km (125 miles) N of Ambon, Moluccas, Indonesia
• 305 km (190 miles) SSE of Ternate, Moluccas, Indonesia
• 1215 km (750 miles) NNW of DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia
• 2415 km (1500 miles) E of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia

Historic Information

• Learning from Earthquakes: Indonesia

Institutions

• Badan Meteorologi dan Geofisika – BMG
• ASEAN Earthquake Information Center
• Volcanological Survey of Indonesia

Maps

• Politcal Map of Indonesia
• Seismic Hazard Map
• Earthquake Density Map
• Seismicity Map of Indonesia

Notable Earthquakes

• Historic Earthquakes in Indonesia

Recent Earthquakes

• Last Earthquake in Indonesia [from the NEIC Earthquake Bulletin]
• BMG Recent Earthquakes

Tectonic Information

• Seismotectonics of the Indonesian Region
• Tectonics of Indonesia
• Geology of Indonesia
• Krakatau Volcano

Related Links:

• Magnitude 4.0 quake hits Utah near gas fields
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

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Serial No 1,619. Starting April 2010, each entry on this blog has a unique serial number. If any of the numbers are missing, it may mean that the corresponding entry has been blocked by Google/the authorities in your country. Please drop us a line if you detect any anomaly/missing number(s).

Earthquake, Heavy Rain, Mudslides Strike Peru

Peru Under Siege from Earthquake, Heavy Rain and Mudslides, 3 Killed

Strong quake measuring up to magnitude 6.1 struck inside the Peruvian Amazon rain forest 20 km (10 miles) SSE of Pucallpa, Peru at a depth of about 153 km, on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 22:53 UTC.

As of posting, there were no reports of damage or casualties, however, The tremors were felt in Trujillo, Chimbote, Cerro de Pasco, Huánuco, Lima (capital), Pucallpa, San Ramón. The quake was felt also in Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil,  a report said.

Heavy Rain and Mudslides

The overflowing Vilcanota and Rio Blanco rivers in the Andean province of Cusco, southeastern Peru, have flooded hundreds of hectares (acres) of corn crop, AFP reported.

Heavy rains have buffeted the region in the past three days, flooding rivers and causing mudslides that killed at least two people and damaged stone walls at Inca sites, associated Press reported.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and mudslides blocked the train route to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, stranding about 2,000 tourists, the tourism ministry said.

“Rail is the only means of transportation on the last leg of the trip to Machu Picchu from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco.”AP said.

Elsewhere in the region, the overflowing Yanama river has pinned down trucks and long-distance passenger coaches at the Cusco-Abancay highway. The flooding has damaged or destroyed about  50 homes and also destroyed crops, officials said.

A magnitude 7.9 quake and resulting landslides in Northern Peru killed an estimated 70,000 people and injured up to 150,000 others, leaving half a million homeless.

Earthquake Location map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

Peru Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude reported by USGS: 5.8  [EQ magnitude estimated by FEWW: 6.1 Mw]
• Date-Time:
  • Monday, January 25, 2010 at 22:52:47 UTC
  • Monday, January 25, 2010 at 05:52:47 PM at epicenter
• Location: 8.546°S, 74.467°W
• Depth: 153.4 km (95.3 miles)
• Region: CENTRAL PERU
• Distances:
  • 20 km (10 miles) SSE of Pucallpa, Peru
  • 230 km (140 miles) WSW of Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
  • 240 km (150 miles) NE of Huanuco, Peru
  • 485 km (300 miles) NE of LIMA, Peru
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 7.2 km (4.5 miles); depth +/- 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010rxcf

Seismic Hazard Map

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green.  Source: USGS/EHP.

Historic Seismicity [Mag 7 or greater since 1900]

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green.  Source: USGS/EHP.

Political Map of Peru.

Earthquake Location

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Click image to enlarge.

Related Links:

• Deadly Landslides in Peru Causes Many Deaths, Injuries [December 2009]
• Magnitude 6.1 quake strikes southern Peru  [July 2009]
  

• Landslides
• Storms, Extreme Rain Events, Rising Sea Levels
• El Niño

• FEWW Volcano Links
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Solomon Isles Tsunami Destroyed Several Villages

UPDATED Jan 6, 2010

Solomon Isles villages destroyed by tsunami, 9 additional aftershocks strike region

As of posting, at least three villages on Solomon Isles are believed to have been destroyed or damaged by a tsunami, 9 additional aftershocks, 8 of which measured greater than M5.0, have struck near the epicenter of the mainshock.

Main Entry: Powerful Earthquakes Strike Solomon Islands

Deep scars on the hillside caused by Monday’s mainshock  in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Credit: Regional Assistance Mission To Solomon Islands (handout via Reuters).

• The mainshock which struck  on Sunday, January 03, 2010 at 22:37 UTC generated a 3-m high,  destructive tsunami.

• The tsunami slammed on the shores of Rendova Island and neighboring Tetepare Island at about 9:30 am local time on Monday (UTC + 11:00 Hours)

• At least 3 villages have been devastated, or damaged.

• Up to 70 homes on Baniata village on Rendova Island were reported as destroyed or damaged.

• The final damage toll may be much higher, local authorities said.

• No death or injuries reported because tsunami occurred during the day and the residents managed to flee to higher grounds.
  

• 9 additional aftershocks, 8 of which measured greater than M5.0, have struck near the epicenter of the mainshock.

• The largest of the aftershocks measured up to 6.4Mw, and struck at a depth of about 35km some 35 km  SE of Gizo (8.346°S, 157.067°E), New Georgia Islands, Solomon Isles on Monday, January 04, 2010 at 11:28 UTC.

• The latest aftershocks sent frightened villagers in the Western province of Solomon Islands again running to higher grounds fearing another tsunami.

• Landslides were reported on Rendova and Tetepari islands.

• Seven fishermen are reported missing.

• No serious injuries reported.

• About a third of the island of Rendova’s population of 3,500 people have been affected after more than 200 “houses” were destroyed.

Related Links:

• Powerful Earthquakes Strike Solomon Islands
• Large Earthquakes Strike South Pacific
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [26 Oct 2009] – Includes Forecast

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Powerful Earthquakes Strike Solomon Islands

Two Powerful Quakes Strike Solomon Islands SSE of Gizo

A powerful earthquake Measuring up to 7.5Mw struck 105 km (65 miles) SSE of Gizo, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Isl. at a depth of about  45 km on  January 3 at about 22:37 UTC.  A strong foreshock measuring up to M6.8, preceded  the Mainshock about an hour earlier.

As of posting, at least one aftershock measuring up to 5.4 Mw was reported.

10-degree Map Centered at 10°S,155°E

Earthquake location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

Earthquake Details (mainshock)

• Magnitude:  [Maximum EQ magnitude estimated at 7.5 Mw by FireEarth]
• Date-Time:
  • Sunday, January 03, 2010 at 22:36:30 UTC
  • Monday, January 04, 2010 at 09:36:30 AM at epicenter
• Location 8.912°S, 157.307°E
• Depth 30.5 km (19.0 miles)
• Region SOLOMON ISLANDS
• Distances:
  • 105 km (65 miles) SSE of Gizo, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Isl.
  • 210 km (130 miles) WSW of Dadali, Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands
  • 295 km (185 miles) WNW of HONIARA, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
  • 2100 km (1310 miles) NNE of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 8.5 km (5.3 miles); depth +/- 3.6 km (2.2 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID:us2010rabw

Earthquake Details (foreshock)

• Magnitude 6.5  [Maximum EQ magnitude estimated at 6.8  Mw by FireEarth]
• Date-Time:
  • Sunday, January 03, 2010 at 21:48:06 UTC
• Location:  8.880°S, 157.325°E
• Depth 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Distances
  • 90 km (55 miles) SSE of Gizo, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Isl.
  • 215 km (135 miles) WSW of Dadali, Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands
  • 310 km (190 miles) WNW of HONIARA, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
  • 2115 km (1310 miles) NNE of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010rabr

Historic Seismicity

Tsunami Warning

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii earlier said the earthquakes generated  a 6cm (NON-Destructve) tsunami.

“[The tsunami] may have been destructive along the coasts near the earthquake epicentre.” It said.

NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami was NOT expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coast.  However, local tsunamis may occur from underwater landslides at coastal locations which have experienced strong ground shaking.

An 8.1Mw quake struck about 60km NW of this earthquake on April 1, 2007, triggering  a tsunami near Solomon Islands which crashed into the town of Gizo the capital of the Solomon Islands Western Province (population 6,500),  killing 52 people (official death toll) and destroying almost the entire town. More than 5,400 people were left homeless.

In Tajikistan meanwhile…

News agencies reported that a 5.5Mw earthquake which struck Tajikistan on Saturday had destroyed more than 1,000 houses. There were no reports of human casualties as of posting.

Related Links:

• Large Earthquakes Strike South Pacific
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [26 Oct 2009] – Includes Forecast

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links