A Tsunami of Earthquakes Striking Globally

Grace-285H

Significant Earthquakes Strike Vanuatu, PNG, Japan Region

Significant and Notable Earthquakes Strike Vanuatu, PNG, Japan Region.

Vanuatu

Magnitude: 6.4 mww  
Location: 18.798°S, 169.095°E [85km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu]
Depth: 200.2 km
Time: 2017-09-20 20:09:49 (UTC)

Papua New Guinea (PNG)

M 5.9 – 165km N of Finschhafen, PNG  
Location: 5.110°S 147.834°E
Depth: 10.0 km
Time: 2017-09-20 22:13:36 (UTC)

Japan Region

M 6.1 – 281km ESE of Kamaishi, Japan 
Location: 37.982°N 144.669°E
Depth: 10.0 km
Time: 2017-09-20 16:37:16 (UTC)

Data source: USGS

Strong Earthquake Strikes near Manus Island, PNG

KLB-034A

M6.4 quake occurs 107km NE of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea

Earthquake Details:
Magnitude: 6.4mww  [USGS]
Location: 1.454°S, 148.056°E; 8.1 km depth
Date/Time: 2017-08-27 04:17:50 UTC

Tsunami Status: No destructive tsunami observed.

Strong Earthquake Strikes Offshore New Ireland, PNG

BA-377R

M 6.4 earthquake strikes 38km SSE of Taron, PNG

EQ Details [USGS]

Magnitude: 6.4 mww
Location: 4.788°S, 153.159°E
Depth: 47.0 km
Time: 2017-07-13 03:36:09 UTC

Aftershocks: One, measuring 4.8mb, as of this report.

 

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Bougainville Island, N. Solomons

M7.9 strikes WNW of Panguna, PNG

EQ Details
Magnitude: 7.9 mww  [USGS/EHP]
Location: 6.214°S, 155.122°E [uncertainty: ± 7.8 km]
Depth 136.0 km [uncertainty± 1.9]
Time: 2017-01-22 04:30:23.140 UTC
Number of Phases: 145
Minimum Distance: 397.0 km (3.57°)
Travel Time Residual: 1.03 s
Azimuthal Gap: 15°

This earthquake struck onshore and did NOT generate a tsunami.

• Seismic analysis and forecast are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

Powerful Earthquake Strikes PNG

M7.9 EQ Strikes 46km E of Taron, New Ireland, PNG

Magnitude: 7.9 mww [USGS/EHP]
Depth: 103.2 km
Location: 4.509°S, 153.450°E [46km E of Taron, New Ireland, PNG]
Time: 2016-12-17 @ 10:51:12.570 (UTC)

This EQ has NOT generated a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami.

Aftershocks:

M6.3 – 169km SE of Taron, Papua New Guinea
depth of 35.9 km [revised]
2016-12-17 11:27:41 (UTC)

M5.5 – 56km E of Taron, Papua New Guinea
depth: 89.2km
2016-12-17 11:22:39 (UTC)

TSUNAMI THREAT FORECAST...UPDATED
http://ptwc.weather.gov/ptwc/text.php?id=pacific.TSUPAC.2016.12.17.1125
---------------------------------

  * TSUNAMI WAVES REACHING 1 TO 3 METERS ABOVE THE TIDE LEVEL ARE
    POSSIBLE ALONG SOME COASTS OF

      PAPUA NEW GUINEA.


  * TSUNAMI WAVES ARE FORECAST TO BE LESS THAN 0.3 METERS ABOVE
    THE TIDE LEVEL FOR ALL OTHER AREAS.

  * ACTUAL AMPLITUDES AT THE COAST MAY VARY FROM FORECAST
    AMPLITUDES DUE TO UNCERTAINTIES IN THE FORECAST AND LOCAL
    FEATURES. IN PARTICULAR MAXIMUM TSUNAMI AMPLITUDES ON ATOLLS
    AND AT LOCATIONS WITH FRINGING OR BARRIER REEFS WILL LIKELY
    BE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE FORECAST INDICATES.

  * FOR OTHER AREAS COVERED BY THIS PRODUCT A FORECAST HAS NOT
    YET BEEN COMPUTED. THE FORECAST WILL BE EXPANDED IF
    NECESSARY IN SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTS.


RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
-------------------

  * GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THREATENED COASTAL AREAS
    SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO INFORM AND INSTRUCT ANY COASTAL
    POPULATIONS AT RISK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR OWN
    EVALUATION... PROCEDURES AND THE LEVEL OF THREAT.

  * PERSONS LOCATED IN THREATENED COASTAL AREAS SHOULD STAY ALERT
    FOR INFORMATION AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM NATIONAL AND
    LOCAL AUTHORITIES.


ESTIMATED TIMES OF ARRIVAL
--------------------------

  * ESTIMATED TIMES OF ARRIVAL -ETA- OF THE INITIAL TSUNAMI WAVE
    FOR PLACES WITHIN THREATENED REGIONS 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
    WAVES CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO ONE HOUR.

    LOCATION         REGION             COORDINATES    ETA(UTC)
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    AMUN             PAPUA NEW GUINEA   6.0S 154.7E   1121 12/17
    RABAUL           PAPUA NEW GUINEA   4.2S 152.3E   1123 12/17
    KIETA            PAPUA NEW GUINEA   6.1S 155.6E   1125 12/17
    FALAMAE          SOLOMON ISLANDS    7.4S 155.6E   1132 12/17
    WOODLARK ISLAND  PAPUA NEW GUINEA   9.0S 152.9E   1133 12/17
    KAVIENG          PAPUA NEW GUINEA   2.5S 150.7E   1146 12/17
    ULAMONA          PAPUA NEW GUINEA   5.0S 151.3E   1156 12/17
    LAE              PAPUA NEW GUINEA   6.8S 147.0E   1203 12/17
    PORT MORESBY     PAPUA NEW GUINEA   9.3S 146.9E   1339 12/17

Strong Earthquakes Strike Alaska, PNG

VSR

M6.2 quake strikes Alaska Peninsula, NNE of Chignik Lake

EQ Details

Magnitude: 6.2Mw
Location: 57.026°N, 157.897°W; depth=17.9 km (11.1 mi)
Time: 2016-04-02 05:50:00 (UTC)
Nearby Cities

• 100km (62mi) NNE of Chignik Lake, Alaska
• 653km (406mi) SW of Anchorage, Alaska
• 687km (427mi) SW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska

Tsunami Evaluation: No destructive tsunami generated as a result of this event.

[Source: USGS/EHP]

M6.1 quake strikes offshore NE of Angoram, PNG

EQ Details

Magnitude: 6.1Mw
Location: 3.433°S,, 144.949°E; depth=14.8 km (9.2 mi)
Time: 2016-04-01 19:24:56 (UTC)
Nearby Cities

• 120km (75mi) NE of Angoram, Papua New Guinea
• 147km (91mi) E of Wewak, Papua New Guinea
• 708km (440mi) NNW of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Drought Emergency in Papua New Guinea

Deadly drought and frost kill crops, cause severe food shortages in PNG and Guatemala

An urgent call for help has been made from the Papua New Guinea province of Madang which has been badly affected by drought and frost.

Reports say up to 80 percent of the province has been affected, with food gardens destroyed by frost and streams running dry.

At least 1.8 million people have been affected by drought and frost in the Highlands region of PNG. Drought and frost have destroyed crops, and several schools and health facilities have been forced to close due to water shortages, said ACAPS.

“Guina said the National Disaster Centre had not received any reports of people being displaced but unconfirmed reports from Chimbu said that at least 14 people had died. In another area of the province, an unconfirmed report said five people had died,” said a report.

Guatemala

Severe drought in Guatemala has led to a deterioration of food security, with about a million people facing acute food shortages, mainly due to reduced harvest. More than 900,000 people have no food stocks left, according to ACAPS.

 

Strong Quake Strikes New Britain, PNG

M6.0 quake strikes East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

Centered at 5.452°S, 151.601°E the quake occurred at a depth of about 35km, USGS/EHP reported.

Distances:

• 142km (88mi) SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
• 161km (100mi) E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
• 330km (205mi) SSE of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
• 443km (275mi) W of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
• 657km (408mi) NE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Powerful Quake Strikes Solomon Islands

Last Update: 08:38:22

M7.1 Earthquake Shakes Bougainville Island, North Solomons

MINOR SEA LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS OF UP TO 0.3 METERS ABOVE AND
BELOW THE NORMAL TIDE MAY CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS — US Tsunami Center

TSUNAMI WAVES REACHING 0.3 TO 1 METERS ABOVE THE TIDE LEVEL ARE POSSIBLE FOR SOME COASTS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA — US Tsunami Center

EQ Details

Magnitude: 7.1 Mw [USGS/EHP]
Location: 7.226°S, 154.551°E
Depth: 23.2 km
Time: 2015-05-07 07:10:22 UTC

Nearest Cities:

• 144km (89mi) SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
• 156km (97mi) SW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
• 406km (252mi) SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
• 521km (324mi) ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
• 642km (399mi) WNW of Honiara, Solomon Islands

more details will follow…

Powerful Earthquake Shakes East New Britain

M7.5 quake strikes 130km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea (PNG)

Centered at 5.465°S, 151.886°E the quake occurred at a depth of 42.0 km, reported USGS/EHP.

The quake had been preceded buy strong foreshocks and was followed by at least 9 significant aftershocks, as of posting.

See also FIRE-EARTH Forecast on HEIGHTENED SEISMICITY and ENHANCED VOLCANISM in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 31, 2015 concerning

EQ Details
Magnitude: 7.5Mw [USGS/EHP]
Depth: 42.0 km
Location: 5.465°S 151.886°E
Time: 2015-05-05 01:44:05 UTC
Nearest Cities:

• 130km (81mi) SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea [pop: ~30k]
• 193km (120mi) E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea  [pop: ~20k]
• 341km (212mi) SSE of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea [pop: ~15k]
• 412km (256mi) WNW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea [pop: ~35k]
• 680km (423mi) NE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea [pop: ~375k]

Recent foreshocks and aftershocks
5.0 147km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 08:47:08 UTC 61.1 km
5.3 129km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 08:16:58 UTC 42.8 km
4.9 126km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 06:11:04 UTC 51.6 km
4.9 143km SSW of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 05:07:29 UTC 40.0 km
5.2 86km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 05:03:01 UTC 55.7 km
5.2 130km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 03:55:51 UTC 51.8 km
5.2 124km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 02:40:23 UTC 33.9 km
5.6 103km S of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 01:58:20 UTC 57.5 km
5.9 109km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 01:54:05 UTC 64.5 km
7.5 130km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-05 01:44:05 UTC 42.0 km
5.1 143km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-04 08:09:14 UTC 60.8 km
4.6 102km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-04 01:04:48 UTC 63.3 km
5.2 132km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-03 23:40:56 UTC 35.1 km
5.1 133km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-03 22:50:47 UTC 46.1 km
5.5 142km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-03 22:35:11 UTC 67.9 km
5.6 144km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-03 22:32:42 UTC 35.0 km
5.2 150km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-03 20:21:56 UTC 76.0 km
4.8 148km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-03 19:28:54 UTC 61.0 km
5.0 93km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-02 10:53:06 UTC 103.4 km
4.9 124km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-01 19:55:56 UTC 44.5 km
6.8 106km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-05-01 08:06:04 UTC 57.0 km
6.7 125km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-30 10:45:05 UTC 48.9 km
5.0 60km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-24 02:51:07 UTC 83.5 km
5.3 80km W of Panguna, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-21 19:10:18 UTC 68.0 km
5.3 32km ENE of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-21 11:21:12 UTC 53.5 km
4.5 74km SW of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-21 08:14:36 UTC 54.9 km
4.9 80km SE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-20 20:02:07 UTC 67.8 km
4.6 112km S of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-19 12:48:42 UTC 36.6 km
4.5 103km S of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-19 12:17:42 UTC 42.2 km
5.2 66km NW of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 2015-04-15 10:22:08 UTC 10.0 km

Related Links

• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Heightened seismicity in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 30, 2015
• FIRE-EARTH ALERT: HEIGHTENED SEISMICITY and ENHANCED VOLCANISM in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 31, 2015
• Calbuco Volcano Finally Erupts April 23, 2015
• M6.7 Quake Strikes East New Britain April 30, 2015
• Calbuco Volcano Erupts Again May 1, 2015
• Another Strong Earthquakes Strikes East New Britain May 1, 2015

‘Severe’ Earthquake Rattles NZ South Island

M6.0 quake strikes NW of Wanaka, NZ

Centered at 44.54°S, 168.83°E the quake struck at a depth of 5km, reported NZ geonet, describing the shock as ‘Severe.’

EQ Details [NZ geonet]

• Magnitude: 6.0Mw
• Epicenter: 44.54°S, 168.83°E
• Depth: 5 km
• Location:
  • 30 km north-west of Wanaka
  • 57km NNE of Queenstown, New Zealand

FIRE EARTH EARTHQUAKE FORECASTS FOR NZ
NOTICE: New Zealand Earthquake Forecasts April 16, 2011

Related Links

• NZ Govt and Google Buried Quake Warnings February 22, 2011
• A Warning to Visitors to New Zealand May 9, 2009

Other Significant Seismicity

PNG

• Cluster of 8 aftershocks with the largest measuring 5.6 144km SSW of Kokopo, on 2015-05-03 at 22:32:42 UTC depth=35.0 km

Planet California

• 3.6Mw, 1km S of Concord, California 2015-05-03 at 22:13:19 UTC depth=14.6 km

Planet of the Abes

• 4.9Mw, 19km SW of Tomioka, Japan 2015-05-03 at 14:30:16 UTC depth=146.3 km
• 4.6Mw, 3km SSE of Iwai, Japan 2015-05-03 at 06:53:59 UTC depth=51.6 km
• 5.0Mw, 45km E of Namie, Japan 2015-05-03 at 04:02:52 UTC depth=42.4 km

Global Seismic Hot Spots (June 2015 – August 2015)

Tune into FIRE-EARTH for the blog’s special report FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 at the following times :

18:32, 19:32, 20:32 and 22:32UTC.

Another Strong Earthquakes Strikes East New Britain

M6.8 earthquake strikes 106km SSW of Kokopo, PNG

Centered at 5.196°S, 151.801°E the quake occurred at a depth of 57.0 km (35.4 mi), reported USGS/EHP

EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.8Mw
Location:  5.196°S, 151.801°E; depth=57.0 km (35.4 mi)
Time: 2015-05-01 at 08:06:04 (UTC) (UTC)

Nearby Cities:

1. 106km (66mi) SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea [pop. 27,000]
2. 187km (116mi) ENE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
3. 310km (193mi) SSE of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
4. 428km (266mi) WNW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
5. 693km (431mi) NE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea [pop: 27,000]

Related Links

• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Heightened seismicity in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 30, 2015
• FIRE-EARTH ALERT: HEIGHTENED SEISMICITY and ENHANCED VOLCANISM in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 31, 2015
• Calbuco Volcano Finally Erupts April 23, 2015
• M6.7 Quake Strikes East New Britain April 30, 2015
• Calbuco Volcano Erupts Again May 1, 2015

M6.7 Quake Strikes East New Britain

M6.7 earthquake 125km SSW of Kokopo, PNG

Centered at 5.392°S, 151.818°E the quake occurred at a depth of 48.9 km (30.4 mi), reported USGS/EHP.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.7Mw
Location: 5.392°S, 151.818°E depth=48.9 km (30.4 mi)
Time: 2015-04-30 at 10:45:05 (UTC)

Nearby Cities

• 125km (78mi) SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
• 186km (116mi) E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
• 331km (206mi) SSE of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
• 421km (262mi) WNW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
• 680km (423mi) NE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Related Links

•  FIRE-EARTH ALERT: HEIGHTENED SEISMICITY and ENHANCED VOLCANISM in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 31, 2015
• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Heightened seismicity in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 30, 2015
• Calbuco Volcano Finally Erupts April 23, 2015

Powerful Quake Strikes PNG

M7.5 quake rattles New Ireland Region

Centered at 4.760°S, 152.556°E the quake occurred  at a depth of depth of 40.0 km, USGE/EHP reported.

Tsunami Evaluation
Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 km of the earthquake epicenter, said PTWC in its initial evaluation.

The hazard regions include Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands.

However, the tsunami threat had largely passed, as of posting.

TSUNAMI OBSERVATIONS
--------------------
  * THE FOLLOWING ARE TSUNAMI WAVE OBSERVATIONS FROM COASTAL
    AND/OR DEEP-OCEAN SEA LEVEL GAUGES AT THE INDICATED LOCATIONS.
    THE MAXIMUM TSUNAMI HEIGHT IS MEASURED WITH RESPECT TO THE
    NORMAL TIDE LEVEL.
                            GAUGE      TIME OF   MAXIMUM     WAVE
                         COORDINATES   MEASURE   TSUNAMI   PERIOD
    GAUGE LOCATION        LAT   LON     (UTC)     HEIGHT    (MIN)
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    TAREKUKURE WHARF SB   6.7S 156.4E    0159   0.03M/ 0.1FT  32

NOTE TIDE GAUGE AT TAREKUKURE WHARF IS 450 KM FROM THE EPICENTER.

Earthquake Details
Magnitude: 7.5Mw (USGS/EHP)
Time: 2015-03-29 23:48:31 UTC
Location: 4.760°S, 152.556°E
Depth: 40.0 km

Distances:

• 55km (34mi) SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
• 787km (489mi) NE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Aftershocks: The main event was followed by at least 3 significant aftershocks as of posting.

• M4.8; 56km S of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 01:51:26 UTC 53.8 km
• M5.0; 78km SSW of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 00:43:13 UTC 35.0 km
• M5.7; 91km SSW of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 00:15:30 UTC 35.0 km

Other recent significant quakes

• M4.7; 94km S of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 02:23:21 UTC 35.0 km
• M5.0; 144km W of Ile Hunter, New Caledonia 2015-03-30 02:12:47 UTC 54.4 km
• M4.7; Kuril Islands 2015-03-30 02:05:12 UTC 45.5 km
• M4.8; 25km S of Garcia Hernandez, Philippines 2015-03-30 01:47:57 UTC 35.0 km
• M5.4; 29km NW of Qimeng, China 2015-03-30 01:47:35 UTC 14.6 km
• M4.9; 158km NNE of Bitung, Indonesia 2015-03-29 14:35:38 UTC 81.4 km
• M5.6; 139km NW of Kota Ternate, Indonesia 2015-03-29 07:50:53 UTC 38.5 km
• M5.8; 40km WSW of Tilamuta, Indonesia 2015-03-28 22:28:51 UTC 123.9 km
• M5.6; 49km NE of Calama, Chile 2015-03-28 16:36:54 UTC 112.0 km

Strong Quake Strikes NNE of Finschhafen, PNG

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 700, 08, 07, 02
.

M6.6 strikes 72km NNE of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea

Centered at 6.04°S, 148.21°E the quake occurred at a depth of about 43km, said USGS/EHP.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 6.6Mw
Event Time: 2014-11-07 03:33:54 UTC
Location: 6.044°S, 148.210°E depth=43.2km (26.8mi)
Nearby Cities

• 72km (45mi) NNE of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea
• 154km (96mi) ENE of Lae, Papua New Guinea
• 392km (244mi) NNE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Recent EQs in PNG Region

• Strong Quake Strikes North of PNG August 3, 2014
• M6.5 Quake Strikes PNG Posted on April 12, 2014
• M7.1 EQ Strikes Near Panguna, PNG  April 11, 2014

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into FIRE-EARTH Channel daily @ 06:32UTC.

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MAJOR DISASTERS/ SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, Aug. 29, 2014

VOLCANIC ERUPTION
SIGNIFICANT SEISMIC EVENTS
BARDARBUNGA VOLCANO
TAVURVUR VOLCANO
SCENARIOS 023, 017, 09, 08, 07
.

Fissure eruption reported in Holuhraun lava field, Dyngjujokull glacier, Iceland

The eruption breached surface in Holuhraun lava field about 5km north of Dyngjujokull about 00:02 GMT on Friday, said IMO.

Seismic activity has decreased as a result of the pressure release, however a significant amount of earthquakes is still detected in the magma dike, between the eruption site and south to about 5 km into Dyngjujökull.

The aviation color-code was raised to “red” and back to “orange,” as there was no ash emission.

A significant shock measuring 5.2Mw centered at 64.770°N, 17.335°W occurred at a depth of 7.5km at 12:21UTC, said USGS/EHP.

Tavurvur Volcano Erupts in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

Mount Tavurvur on PNG’s East New Britain Island erupted violently at 3.00 a.m. local time,  said Rabaul Volcanological Observatory.

It ejected plumes of smoke and ash to a height of about 17,000m over the South Pacific island country, forcing the authorities to warn local residents to stay indoors, and causing airlines to alter some flight paths.

“Flight paths between Sydney and Narita (Tokyo) and Sydney and Shanghai have been altered as a result of the volcanic ash cloud over Rabaul in eastern Papua New Guinea,” Qantas spokeswoman told Reuters.

The eruption reached the top of the atmosphere at 50,000 feet, which is the same height as which planes travel, could disrupt air flights from Australia, said the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia.

M5.6 Quake Strikes South of Athens, Greece

Centered at 36.738°N, 23.757°E, about 137km south of Athens, the quake struck at a depth of 91.8km, said USGS/EHP.

The quake was felt in Athens; however, there were no reports of casualties or severe damage, as of posting.

Strong Quake Strikes North of PNG

UPDATED @ 12:20UTC

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 08, 07
.

M6.9 occurs near E. Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Centered at 0.844°N, 146.144°E the quake struck at a depth of 10.6km (6.6mi), said USGS/EHP.

The main shock was followed by at least 2 significant aftershocks, the largest of which measured 6.1Mw, as of posting.

The quake was initially recorded as a M7.2 by USGS/EHP, but was later downgraded.

NO destructive tsunami has occurred.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 6.9Mw
Event Time: 2014-08-03 00:22:03 UTC
Location: 0.844°N 146.144°E depth=10.6km (6.6mi)
Nearby Cities: 340km (211mi) NNW of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea

OTHER SIGNIFICANT QUAKES

M6.5 earthquake rocked Ludian County, Zhaotong City, in southwest China’s Yunnan Province at 4:30 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time), said the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), Xinhua reported.

The quake was centered at 27.1N,  103.3E, and occurred  at a depth of 12 kilometers, according to the CENC.

“I felt a strong jolt on my fifth-floor home and some small objects in my home fell off the shelves,” said a resident in the county seat of Ludian.

Zhaotong is about 300 km from Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, where a magnitude 5.7 quake killed 80 people and injured more than 800 others in September 2012, said the report.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the same area caused about 1,500 deaths in 1974.

M5.7 – 140km WSW of Naze, Japan
Event Time: 2014-08-03 04:06:04 UTC
Location: 28.031°N 128.105°E depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
[USGS/EHP]

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into FIRE-EARTH Channel daily @ 06:32UTC.

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Significant Quakes Strike Chile, Indonesia, PNG

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 08, 07
.

M6.6 Strikes S of Taron, Papua New Guinea

The quake preceded by a foreshock measuring 5.6Mw and two aftershocks measurin6 4.9 and 4.8Mw, as of posting.

EQ Details

PNG
Magnitude: 6.6Mw
Event Time: 2014-07-04 15:00:26 UTC
Location: 6.205°S 152.821°E depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 193km (120mi) S of Taron, Papua New Guinea
• 214km (133mi) SSE of Kokopo, Papua New Guine

Indonesia
Magnitude: 6.0Mw
Event Time: 2014-07-05 09:39:30 UTC
Location: 1.995°N 97.015°E depth=30.0km (18.6mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 88km (55mi) SE of Sinabang, Indonesia
• 198km (123mi) W of Sibolga, Indonesia
• 204km (127mi) SW of Kabanjahe, Indonesia
• 241km (150mi) SW of Binjai, Indonesia
• 534km (332mi) WSW of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Chile
Magnitude: 4.4Mw
Event Time: 2014-07-05 11:00:47 UTC
Location: 20.709°S 70.806°W depth=23.8km (14.8mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 87km (54mi) SW of Iquique, Chile
• 165km (103mi) NNW of Tocopilla, Chile
• 252km (157mi) SSW of Arica, Chile
• 274km (170mi) NW of Calama, Chile
• 543km (337mi) SSW of La Paz, Bolivia

 

Powerful EQ Strikes New Britain Trench

SEISMIC HAZARD
.

M7.5 Strikes SW of Panguna, PNG

The powerful quake was the latest in a cluster of shocks rattling the North Solomons Region and follows a M7.1 quake that struck near the boundary of Australia plate and overriding Pacific plate, some 57km SW of Panguna, on April 11, 2014.

FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast

FIRE-EARTH released details of a forecast for a MEGA EARTHQUAKE in SOLOMON ISLANDS in Bulletin NO. 84, which was released on April 12.

The next FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast will appear in Bulletin No. 89, which will be published later today (April 20, 2014).

Earthquake Details

Magnitude: 7.5Mw
Event Time: 2014-04-19 13:27:59UTC
Location: 6.720°S, 154.931°E
Depth: 30.9km (19.2mi)
Nearby Cities

• 75km (47mi) SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
• 87km (54mi) SW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea

EQ Location Map

One-day significant quakes North Solomons, PNG. Source: USGS/EHP.

7-day significant quakes North Solomons, PNG. Source: USGS/EHP.

30-day significant quakes North Solomons, PNG. Source: USGS/EHP.

Boundary between Australia and Pacific Plates – PNG Region

The boundary between Australia and Pacific plates in the PNG  region has produced 35 M 7+ events within 250 km of the April 19, 2014 earthquake in the last 100 years, said USGS/EHP. The largest was M 8.0 about 175 km NW of the April 19, 2014  event, one of two M8+ earthquakes 140 km apart in July 1971. The M 8.1 Solomon Islands earthquake in April 2007, which caused a devastating tsunami, occurred about 300 km southeast of the April 19, 2014 quake.

Tsunami Update

A Tsunami Warning that was issued immediately after the quake has since been canceled.

A tsunami was detected, however there’s currently NO threat of a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami as a result of the above earthquake.

Related Links and Recent Significant Seismic Events

• Strong Aftershock Strikes Offshore Bougainville Island April 19, 2014
• M7.5 Quake Strikes Near Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico April 18, 2014
• FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 88 April 18, 2014
• FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 87 April 17, 2014

• FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 86 April 15, 2014
• FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 85 April 13, 2014

• M6.5 Quake Strikes PNG Posted on April 12, 2014
• M7.1 EQ Strikes Near Panguna, PNG Posted on April 11, 2014

• CHILE MEGA EARTHQUAKE WARNING – REVISION 3 April 7, 2014
• MEGA EARTHQUAKE WARNING – REVISION 2  April 3, 2014
• Two Powefull Aftershocks Rock N Chile Coast April 3, 2014
• Disaster Declared for Chile Quake Zone on April 2, 2014
• M8.2 Strikes Coast of Chile April 2, 2014

Strong Aftershock Strikes Offshore Bougainville Island

SEISMIC HAZARD
.

M6.6 Strikes 59km SW of Panguna, PNG

The aftershock follows a M7.1 quake that struck 57km SW of Panguna, on April 11, 2014.

The latest aftershock was the third to strike the region, measuring 6.5Mw or greater.

EQ Details

Event Time: 2014-04-19 01:04:03 UTC
Location: 6.679°S 155.085°E depth=24.4km (15.2mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 59km (37mi) SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
• 71km (44mi) SW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea

EQ Location Map

30 Days, Magnitude 4.5+ regional earthquakes. Source: USGS/EHP

Related Links

• M6.5 Quake Strikes PNG Posted on April 12, 2014
• M7.1 EQ Strikes Near Panguna, PNG Posted on April 11, 2014

M6.5 Quake Strikes PNG

SEISMIC HAZARD
.

Powerful Earthquake Offshore North Solomons

Centered at 6.855°S, 155.017°E the 6.5Mw quake struck at a depth of 39.4km (24.5mi), about 78km (48mi) SW of Panguna, PNG.

The quake followed heightened seismicity in the area triggered by a M7.1 quake that struck 57km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea on April 11.

Tsunami Evaluation

NO tsunami was detected.

Earthquake Details [USGS/EHP]

Magnitude: 6.5Mw
Location: 6.855°S, 155.017°E depth=39.4km (24.5mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 78km (48mi) SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
• 91km (57mi) SW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
• 411km (255mi) SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
• 558km (347mi) ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
• 613km (381mi) WNW of Honiara, Solomon Islands

Earthquake Location Map

Latest Seismicity Around PRF

• M6.6 Quake Strikes Nicaragua April 12, 2014
• Strong Quakes Strike Nicaragua, Coastal Chile April 11, 2014

Chile-Peru Trench Continued Seismicity

M6.0 – 84km SW of Iquique, Chile 2014-04-11 00:01:44 UTC

At least two more significant aftershocks struck along the Peru- Chile Trench following the deadly M8.2 quake, which struck Chile on April 1 (UTC).

The other significant aftershock was a M5.0 which struck 88km WNW of Iquique, Chile at 17:49:10 UTC (20.035°S 70.963°W depth=11.8km)

FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast

For the next FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast see April 12 Bulletin, which would be released later today – members only.

Related Links

• CHILE MEGA EARTHQUAKE WARNING – REVISION 3 April 7, 2014
• MEGA EARTHQUAKE WARNING – REVISION 2  April 3, 2014
• Two Powefull Aftershocks Rock N Chile Coast April 3, 2014
• Disaster Declared for Chile Quake Zone on April 2, 2014
• M8.2 Strikes Coast of Chile April 2, 2014
• Enhanced Seismicity Continues Along Peru-Chile Trench on March 24, 2014
• Significant Seismic Activity Continues Along Peru-Chile Trench March 22, 2014
• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Large Earthquake Could Strike Peru-Chile Trench March 17, 2014
• Another Significant Aftershock Strikes Coastal Chile March 17, 2014
• Intense Seismicity Along Peru-Chile Trench March 16, 2014

M7.1 EQ Strikes Near Panguna, PNG

SEISMIC HAZARD
.

M7.1 quake strikes 57km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea

Centered at 6.625°S, 155.064°E, the quake struck at a depth of 50.0km (31.1mi) on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 07:07:21 UTC.

The mainshock was followed by at least four significant aftershocks measuring 4.8Mw or greater. The largest aftershock measured 6.5Mw and was centered at  6.855°S 155.017°E, occurring at a depth of 39.4km.

Tsunami Evaluation

The quakes did NOT produce a widespread destructive tsunami.

Latest Seismicity Around PRF

• Strong Quakes Strike Nicaragua, Coastal Chile April 11, 2014

Related Links

• CHILE MEGA EARTHQUAKE WARNING – REVISION 3 April 7, 2014
• MEGA EARTHQUAKE WARNING – REVISION 2  April 3, 2014
• Two Powerfull Aftershocks Rock N Chile Coast April 3, 2014
• Disaster Declared for Chile Quake Zone on April 2, 2014
• M8.2 Strikes Coast of Chile April 2, 2014
• Enhanced Seismicity Continues Along Peru-Chile Trench on March 24, 2014
• Significant Seismic Activity Continues Along Peru-Chile Trench March 22, 2014
• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Large Earthquake Could Strike Peru-Chile Trench March 17, 2014
• Another Significant Aftershock Strikes Coastal Chile March 17, 2014
• Intense Seismicity Along Peru-Chile Trench March 16, 2014