Magnitude 7.7 Quake Strikes Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada

Earthquake Measuring 7.7 Mw Strikes Queen Charlotte Islands Region generating a tsunami

FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Mega Quake measuring at least 8.8Mw could strike the region in the coming weeks with a probability of 0.75.

The powerful quake struck off Canada’s Pacific coast at a depth of about 16 km generating a tsunami, which forced  the authorities in Hawaii to order more than 100,000 people evacuate the shorelines.

• Dozens of aftershocks, including at least 10 shocks measuring ≥5.0Mw had occurred, as of posting.

• A Geophysicist at Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami had caught scientists by surprise, Reuters reported.

• “We thought that the earthquake was on land and when we learned that it was deeper undersea and we gathered more information, we had no choice but to issue a warning,” he said.

Quake Details

Region: Queen Charlotte Islands
Time: 2012-10-28 03:04:09.7 UTC
Magnitude: 7.7 (Mw)
Epicenter: 52.59°N, 132.19°W
Depth: 16 km
Source: GEOFON

EQ Location Map. Source: GEOFON © Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

The Largest Earthquake in Canada

Canada’s largest earthquake (magnitude 8.1) since 1700, occurred on August 22, 1949 off the coast of BC. It occurred on the Queen Charlotte Fault (Canada’s equivalent of the San Andreas Fault) – the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates that runs underwater along the west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands off the west coast of British Columbia. The shaking was so severe on the Queen Charlotte Islands that cows were knocked off their feet, and a geologist with the Geological Survey of Canada working on the north end of Graham Island could not stand up. Chimneys toppled, and an oil tank at Cumshewa Inlet collapsed. In Terrace, on the adjacent mainland, cars were bounced around, and standing on the street was described as “like being on the heaving deck of a ship at sea”. In Prince Rupert, windows were shattered and buildings swayed. —Natural resources of Canada

Related Links:

• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes [Main Index Page]
• FEWW Volcano Links

• California Earthquake Forecast – Update 3
• Alaska Earthquake Forecast: Update 3

• Powerful Quake Strikes Queen Charlotte Islands Region Posted November 18, 2009

New Zealand Region Earthquake Warning

FIRE-EARTH Megaquake Forecast: Kermadec Islands Region/New Zealand Region

A megaquake measuring about 8.8Mw could strike Kermadec Islands Region/ New Zealand Region in 2011/2012 with a probability of 72%.

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• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Strong Quake Strikes Cayman Islands Region

Earthquake Measuring up to 6.1 Mw Strikes Near Cayman Islands

Strong earthquake measuring up to M6.1 struck offshore near Cayman Islands about 70 km (45 miles) ESE of George Town,  Cayman Islands and about 880 km WNW of the powerful earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince 8 days ago. The quake struck at a depth of about 10km on January 19, 2010 at 14:24 UTC.

Tsunami Report

There were no report of a tsunami in the area caused by this event.

Damage Report

The earthquake reportedly shook buildings in George town but there was no report of damage or injuries.

Previous Quakes

Grand Cayman was struck by a 6.8 Mw earthquake on December 14, 2004, three months after Hurricane Ivan had already raked the island. However, the quake caused only minor structural damage to some buildings.

FEWW Earthquake Forecast:

The Gonave Microplate, near the boundaries of which this earthquake occurred, could produce more seismicity in 2010, with possibly another powerful quake measuring 7.4 to 7.6Mw striking its southern boundary.  Kingston, Jamaica could experience a powerful quake with a probability of 65 percent.

10-degree Map Centered at 20°N,80°W

Earthquake Location map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW. (Click Images to enlarge).

Seismic Hazard Map showing the west side  end of the Gonave Microplate. USGS/EHP. Click image to enlarge.

Seismic Hazard Map of Haiti Region showing the east side of the Gonave Microplate, which is sandwiched between the North American and the Caribbean Plates .Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW. Click image to enlarge.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 5.8 [EQ magnitude estimated by FEWW: 6.1 Mw - USGS/EHP routinely downgrades earthquakes by about 0.3 Mw]
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 14:23:38 UTC
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 09:23:38 AM at epicenter
• Location: 19.020°N, 80.779°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Region: CAYMAN ISLANDS REGION
• Distances:
  • 70 km (45 miles) ESE of GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands
  • 305 km (190 miles) WNW of Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • 345 km (215 miles) S of Cienfuegos, Cuba
  • 750 km (465 miles) S of Miami, Florida
  • 880 km WNW of the powerful earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 4.2 km (2.6 miles); depth fixed by location program
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010rrbc

Related Links:

• Haiti Quake Causes Widespread Death, Destruction
• Haiti Earthquake Disaster Links Page!

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes

Seventh Powerful Quake Hits Japan Region

Powerful Earthquake measuring up to 7.2 Mw Strikes  RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN

Background:

• 6th Strong Quake Strikes Near Ryukyu Isles, Japan
• 6 to 8 more strong EQs may yet strike region
• 4th Powerful Quake Strikes Japan Region
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan

A powerful earthquake measuring up to 7.2 Mw occurred in Ryukyu Islands, Japan, about 280 km (175 miles) SSW of Kagoshima, Kyushu, at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles), on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 07:03 UTC.

Referring to an earlier forecast, FEWW Moderators believe an additional series of 6 – 7 quakes measuring ≥ 6.0 Mw could strike Japan region in the coming weeks.

FEWW Moderators had previously anticipated more powerful earthquakes in the region, including as many as 10 additional magnitude 6+ quakes to strike the region in the coming weeks.

A moderate earthquake measuring up to 5.3 Mw struck near 29.165°N, 130.061°Eclose to the latest event on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 06:17 UTC at a depth of about 47.5 km (29.5 miles).

10-degree Map Centered at 30°N,130°E

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

Earthquake Details:

• Reported Magnitude: 6.9 [Maximum quake magnitude estimated by FEWW at 7.2 Mw]

• Date-Time:
  • Friday, October 30, 2009 at 07:03:39 UTC
  • Friday, October 30, 2009 at 04:03:39 PM at epicenter
• Location: 29.154°N, 129.903°E
• Depth:  35 km (21.7 miles)
• Region:  RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
• Distances:
  • 280 km (175 miles) SSW of Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
  • 340 km (210 miles) SSW of Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
  • 400 km (245 miles) NNE of Naha, Okinawa, Japan
  • 1170 km (730 miles) SW of TOKYO, Japan
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2009njal

Seismic Hazard Map [USGS]

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Historic Seismicity [Source: USGS?EHP]

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Related Links:

• Earthquakes [Links Page]
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan

• 6th Strong Quake Strikes Near Ryukyu Isles, Japan

• 6 to 8 more EQs may yet strike region

• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan
• 5th Strong Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 4th Powerful Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 3rd Powerful Quake in 3 Days Strikes Japan Region
• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan [August 10, 2009]
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Near Izu Islands, Japan [August 9, 2009]
• M 6.4 Quake Strikes SW Ryukkyu Isls, Japan [August 5, 2009]

• Magnitude 6.3 quake strikes Taiwan region

FEWW Earthquake Forecast: Tunisia

Strong to Powerful  Quake Could Strike Northern Tunisia

More details to follow ….

Related Links:

• FEWW Earthquake Links

Another Strong Quake Hits Sumatra

Magnitude 6.8 quake strikes southern Sumatra, Indonesia

A v.  strong earthquake measuring 6.8Mw struck the southern Sumatra region about 226 km SE of Padang at a depth of 10 km on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 01:52: 29UTC, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported.

The mainshock was followed by an aftershock measuring 5.2 Mw about 28 minutes later.

Earthquake Details:

Magnitude: 6.8 Mw
Region:  SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Date time: 2009-10-01 at 01:52:28.9 UTC
Location: 2.52 S ; 101.66 E
Depth: 10 km
Distances

• 157 km NW Bengkulu (pop 309,712 ; local time 08:52 2009-10-01)
• 59 km SE Sungaipenuh (pop 95,913 )
• 226 km SE of Padang  (pop ~ 1  million)
• 490 km (310 miles) SSW of SINGAPORE
• 698 km (434 miles) NW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia

Southern Sumatra has region has experienced an average of about 5 earthquakes measuring 7 Mw or greater per year since 1900.

Earthquake Location Map. Original map: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW

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

Related Links

• Disaster Update: Indonesia Quake
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Sumatra, Indonesia
• Deadly Earthquake Strikes Java, Indonesia
• Magnitude 8.3 Quake Strikes Samoa Islands Region
• The Largest Earthquake
• Earthquakes [Main Index Page]

Strong Earthquake Strikes Offshore N Venezuela

Magnitude 6.4 Quake Strikes Offshore Aragua, Northern Venezuela

An earthquake measuring 6.4 Mw struck offshore Aragua, northern Venezuela about 100 km west of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital at a depth of 10 km on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 20:06 UTC, according to USGS/EHP.

NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issue the following Tsunami Information Statement on 09/12/2009 at 4:15PM AST:

A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami IS NOT expected along the coasts of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico states, and Eastern Canadian provinces. NO tsunami warning, watch or advisory is in effect for these areas.

Based on the earthquake location, magnitude, and historic tsunami records, a damaging tsunami IS NOT expected along the Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, U.S. Atlantic, Eastern Canadian and Gulf of Mexico coasts.

USGS/EHP had again downgraded their original reading from 7.0 to 6.4Mw.

Venezuelan Interior Minister reported that two people had received major leg injuries, with 12 others suffering less serious injuries as a result of the damage caused by the quake.

Venezuela’s emergency services chief, Luis Diaz Curbelo, reportedly said the quake was felt across the country.

At least seven people were injured and several buildings were damaged in the NW state of Falcon, the worst hit area, he said.

Another report  said the parts of the capital and several other regions were left without electricity.

10-degree Map Centered at 10°N,70°W

Earthquake Location. Source of Original map: USGS

Seismic Hazard Map

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Historic Seismicity

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Earthquake details

• Magnitude: 6.4
• Date-Time:
• Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 20:06:25 UTC [ Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 08:06:25 PM at epicenter]
• Location: 10.757°N, 67.847°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Region:  OFFSHORE ARAGUA, VENEZUELA
• Distances:
  • 35 km (25 miles) NNE of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
  • 60 km (35 miles) NNE of Valencia, Venezuela
  • 100 km (65 miles) W of CARACAS, Venezuela
  • 2115 km (1310 miles) SE of Miami, Florida
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 5.4 km (3.4 miles);
• Parameters:  NST=197, Nph=197, Dmin=806.2 km, Rmss=1.12 sec, Gp= 36°, M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=7
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2009llbc