More than two dozen Earthquakes strike Eritrea, Ethiopia
The swarm included two significant shocks measuring 5.7Mw and striking at depths of about 8 km.
Earthquake Location Map. Source USGS/EHP
The earthquake swarm occurred within the Afar Triangle where the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somalian) diverge. The swarm’s center was located about 100km ESE of Erta Ale volcano, and about 160km NE of the Dabbahu Fissure.
FIRE-EARTH believes there’s a strong probability that the quakes may have primed one or more regional volcanoes for eruption.
Map of East Africa showing some of the historically active volcanoes (red triangles) and the Afar Triangle (shaded, center)— a so-called triple junction (or triple point), where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somalian) splitting along the East African Rift Zone. Source: USGS
Dabbahu Fissure. Original image JPL/NASA. Enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.
Dabbahu Fissure, along the Somalian Plate, Great Rift Valley (Boina/Afar, Danakil desert, Ethiopia). A ground rupture created during the September 2005 rifting event. Photo: Tony Philpotts/ AP. Image may be subject to copyright.
At 120 meter below sea level, Ethiopia’s Afar Depression is one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth, famous for its salt mines.
New Zealand Earthquakes
Since earlier this morning local time a swarm of at least a dozen earthquakes have struck Christchurch, New Zealand. The largest shocks measured 5.2 and 6.0Mw, USGS/EHP reported.
At least 10 people were injured and several buildings have collapsed/were damaged as a result of the earthquakes, reports said.
Details of the Largest shock
- Magnitude: 6.0
- Date-Time: Monday, June 13, 2011 at 02:20:50 UTC
- Location: 43.580°S, 172.740°E
- Depth: 9 km (5.6 miles)
- Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 13.9 km (8.6 miles); depth +/- 2.8 km (1.7 miles)
- Region SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
- Distances
- 13 km (8 miles) NNE of Christchurch, New Zealand
- 292 km (181 miles) SW of WELLINGTON, New Zealand
- Source: Institute of Nuclear Sciences, New Zealand/ Via USGS-EHP
Earthquake Forecasts for New Zealand Region
FIRE-EARTH Moderators have decided NOT to post any specific earthquake forecasts for New Zealand Region until further notice. See the comments section for a explanation.
Related Links
New Zealand Earthquake Links
Japan Earthquake Forecasts/WARNINGS
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