Significant Earthquake Strikes South of Sapporo, Japan

Quake registers ‘6-‘ on the local seismic scale, rattles S Hokkaido, N  Honshu

Measuring magnitude 5.3Mw [6- 0n the local seismic scale of 0 to 7,] the event was centered at 42.0N,141.0E [110km S of Sapporo,] striking at a depth of 10km, Japan’s weather forecasters reported.

The quake is the latest episode in the renewed waves of seismicity striking Japan region.

Tomari Nuclear Power Station

The quake occurred about 120km SSW of Tomari Nuclear Power Station [43.036N, 140.512E] home to three PWR reactors.

Strong Earthquake Strikes Australia

M5.9 Quake Strikes Northern Territory, Australia

Centered at 25.534°S, 129.805°E [460.0 km WSW of Alice Springs] the event occurred at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 mi), reported USGS/EHP.

Significant Earthquakes Australia Region

Some 34 events measuring magnitude 5.0Mw or greater have been registered since 1990 [80 events since 1916] including

M 7.1 – south of Australia
Location: 42.813°S, 124.688°E
Depth: 10.0 km
Time: 2001-12-12 14:02:35 UTC

M 6.3 – Western Australia
Location: 16.013°S, 124.329°E
Depth: 10.0 km
Time: 1997-08-10 09:20:30 UTC

M 5.2 – near the southeast coast of Australia
Location: 38.304°S 146.200°E
Depth: 10.0 km
Time: 2012-06-19 10:53:29 UTC

M 5.0 – Queensland, Australia
Location: 20.085°S, 147.764°E
Depth: 7.0 km
Time: 2011-04-16 05:31:18 UTC

Significant Quakes Strike Both Sides of Pacific; NZ Volcanoes Awaken

DET

M7.0 earthquake strikes Vanuatu followed by M6.6 at Northern East Pacific Rise

M7.0 earthquake occurred beneath the island of Melampa in the Vanuatu island chain of the southwest Pacific Ocean as a result of thrust faulting on or near the boundary between the Australia and Pacific plates, USGS/EHP reported.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 7.0Mw [1km SE of Norsup, Vanuatu]
Location: 16.074°S, 167.393°E; depth=27.2 km (16.9 mi)
Time: 2016-04-28 19:33:24 (UTC)
Distances:

1.0km (0.6 mi) SE of Norsup, Vanuatu
64.0km (39.8 mi) SSE of Luganville, Vanuatu
208.0km (129.2 mi) NNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu
536.0km (333.1 mi) N of We, New Caledonia

Magnitude: 6.6Mw [Northern East Pacific Rise]
Location: 10.271°N, 103.715°W; depth=10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Time: 2016-04-29 01:33:38 (UTC)
Distances:

• 602.0 km (374.1 mi) E of Clipperton Island, France
• 838.0 km (520.7 mi) SSW of Acapulco de Juarez, Mexico
• 838.0 km (520.7 mi) SSW of Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico
• 844.0 km (524.4 mi) SSW of Petatlan, Mexico
• 1,126.0 km (699.7 mi) SSW of Mexico City, Mexico

NO major tsunami threats generated by the two quakes.

Two NZ Volcanoes Show Signs of Unrest

Mt Ruapehu

A volcanic earthquake swarm has been reported at Mt Ruapehu. The seismicity began on April 26. The Crater Lake temperature, which has been rising since October 2015,  has now reached 40°C (from 25°C in mid-April). Mt Ruapehu remains at Volcanic Alert Level 1 (Minor volcanic unrest), Geonet reported.

White Island

A minor eruption occurred at White Island (Whaakari) at about 11:00 pm on Wednesday, 27 April 2016. Moderately elevated seismic activity is occurring, said Geonet. Additionally:

• Water level in the Crater Lake has fallen by 2m in the last 2 weeks.
• Lake temperature has increased by 2°C, to 58°C, since February.
• SO2 output ranging from 90 to 480 tons per day reported over the last 5 weeks, but said to be typical values for White Island.

“A dark-green ash deposit from the eruption covers at least 80% of the floor of Main Crater, and up the sides of the crater wall on both the north and south sides. At a distance of 500 m from the eruption site the ash deposit is about 5 mm thick. The green colour is due to minerals on the ash.”

Alert Level was initially raised to Level 3 (Minor Volcanic Eruption) and the Aviation Color Code to Orange. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 from 3 on Thursday.

 

Significant Earthquakes – January 11-12, 2016

Latest significant global seismicity

M6.5 centered at 3.864°N 126.867°E depth=20.8 km (12.9mi) about 230km SE of Sarangani, Philippines [2016-01-11 16:38:07 UTC]

M6.2 centered at 44.465°N 141.076°E depth=239.9 km (149.0 mi) about 74km NW of Rumoi, Japan [2016-01-11 17:08:03 (UTC)]

continued…

Earthquake Cluster Strikes NW of Sabang, Indonesia

M6.4, largest of 17 earthquakes, occurs 128km NW of Sabang, Indonesia

Centered at 6.846°N, 94.661°E the quake struck at a depth of 10.0km, USGS/EHP reported.

Nearby Cities

128km (80mi) NW of Sabang, Indonesia
160km (99mi) NNW of Banda Aceh, Indonesia
216km (134mi) NW of Sigli, Indonesia
254km (158mi) NW of Reuleuet, Indonesia
880km (547mi) WNW of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The cluster comprised of at least 17 shocks, as of posting, measuring 4.6Mw or greater and occuring at an an average depth of about 10km.

Heightened Seismicity near L’Esperance Rock, Kermadec Trench

10th Significant quake strikes near L’Esperance Rock, Kermadec Trench

At least 10 significant quakes, measuring between 4.7Mw and 6.0Mw, have struck the Kermadec Trench, near L’Esperance Rock, since May 24 (UTC).

EQ Details [USGS/EHP]

• 5.2 120km SE of L’Esperance Rock (32.216°S, 178.019°W) 2015-06-28 12:53:49 UTC 10.0 km
• 4.7 123km E of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-27 23:29:33 UTC 10.0 km
• 4.8 113km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-26 07:17:43 UTC 10.0 km
• 4.8 115km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-26 02:51:56 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 119km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-25 22:57:15 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 141km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-25 19:18:05 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.1 118km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-25 19:14:06 UTC 10.0 km
• 6.0 101km SE of L’Esperance Rock (32.081°S, 178.136°W) 2015-06-25 18:45:57 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 East of the North Island of New Zealand 2015-06-24 22:06:28 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 138km SSE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-24 09:00:44 UTC 30.2 km

Significant Quakes Strike Pacific-Antarctic Ridge, Tonga, Tajikistan

M6.7 quake strikes Pacific-Antarctic Ridge

Centered at 54.359°S, 132.158°W the quake occurred at a depth of 10.2 km (6.3 mi), USGS/EHP reported.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.7Mw
Location: 54.359°S, 132.158°W depth=10.2 km (6.3 mi)
Time: 2015-05-19 15:25:21 (UTC)

Other Significant Quakes

• M5.5, 28km ESE of Roghun, Tajikistan 2015-05-20 03:31:42 UTC depth=11.2 km
• M6.0, 128km WNW of Pangai, Tonga 2015-05-20 00:30:51 UTC depth=180.3 km
• M5.8, 100km SSE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu 2015-05-19 13:54:55 UTC depth=50.0 km

Significant Quake Strikes S of Galesburg, Michigan

M4.2 earthquake strikes 8km S of Galesburg, Michigan

Centered at 42.212°N, 85.429°W the quake occurred at a depth of 5.9 km, reported USGS/EHP.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 4.2Mw
Location: 42.212°N 85.429°W
Depth: 5.9 km
Time: 2015-05-02 16:23:07 UTC

Nearby Cities:

• 8km (5mi) S of Galesburg, Michigan
• 12km (7mi) E of Portage, Michigan
• 15km (9mi) SE of Kalamazoo, Michigan
• 23km (14mi) WSW of Battle Creek, Michigan
• 92km (57mi) SW of Lansing, Michigan

Historic Earthquakes

Southern Michigan: 1947-08-10 at 02:46:41.3 UTC (local 08/09)
Magnitude: 4.60
Intensity: VI

Isoseismal Map

Damage was heaviest in the area southeast of Kalamazoo at Athens, Bronson, Coldwater, Colon, Matteson Lake, Sherwood, and Union City. Chimneys were damaged, windows and plaster were broken, and brick cornices were downed. Also felt in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. [Source: USGS/EHP]

Michigan: Earthquake History

Shallow Quake Generates 1-m Tsunami

Region name: Torishima Kinkai (Japan)
TSUNAMI ADVISORY: IZU ISLANDS and OGASAWARA ISLANDS

Magnitude 5.9
Location: 31.5N, 140.1E
Depth: Very Shallow
Time:  01:51 JST (UTC + 9.0 hrs) May 3, 2015 (Source: Japan’s weather agency.)

Significant Quakes – December 7, 2014

HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SEISMIC HAZARDS
SCENARIOS: 704, 703, 700, [500,] 09, 08, 07, 02
.

M6.8 Strikes Papua New Guinea (PNG)

Centered at 6.537°S, 154.455°E the quake occurred at a depth of 10.0km (6.2mi), said USGS/EHP.

Event Time: 2014-12-07 01:22:00 UTC
Location: 6.537°S 154.455°E depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
Nearby Cities

• 116km (72mi) WSW of Panguna, PNG
• 124km (77mi) WSW of Arawa, PNG
• 685km (426mi) WNW of Honiara, Solomon Islands

The quake did not generate a destructive tsunami.

At least 4 significant aftershocks, one  measuring 5.7Mw followed the quake as of posting.

 

M6.0 strikes near Punta de Burica, Panama

Magnitude: 6.0Mw [USGS/EHP]
Event Time: 2014-12-06 17:21:49 UTC
Location: 8.013°N 82.703°W depth=14.0km (8.7mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 18km (11mi) E of Punta de Burica, Panama
• 34km (21mi) SSE of Puerto Armuelles, Panama
• 49km (30mi) SW of Pedregal, Panama
• 54km (34mi) SSW of David, Panama
• 261km (162mi) SE of San Jose, Costa Rica

Deadly Earthquake Strikes Yunnan Province, China

A deadly earthquake measuring magnitude 5.8 struck Jinggu County in southwest China’s Yunnan province on Saturday, killing at least one person and leaving 15 others injured, reported the official Xinhua news.

The quake was centered at 23.3N, 100.5E striking at a depth of 9km, the China Earthquake Networks Center said.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast

For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into Fire-Earth Reports  daily @ 06:32UTC.

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Strong Quake Strikes Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 08, 07
.

Significant Quake Strikes Middle of Kane Fracture Zone

Centered at 23.761°N, 45.646°W the magnitude 6.0 quake occurred at a signature depth of 10.0km (6.2mi).

Earthquake Details
Magnitude: 6.0Mw
Event Time: 2014-07-27 01:28:38 UTC

Location: 23.761°N 45.646°W depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
Nearby Cities:  1,811km (1125mi) ENE of Grande Anse, Guadeloupe

The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 6.6 by USGS/EHP, but was later downgraded.

Tsunami Information Statement [NOAA/NWS]

Evaluation:  A destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data. However – there is the small possibility of a local or regional tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a few hundred kilometers from the earthquake epicenter. Authorities in the region near the epicenter should be made aware of this possibility.

Related Seismic Events

M5.1 – Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Event Time: 2014-07-26 17:11:16 UTC
Location: 21.192°S 15.177°W depth=14.5km (9.0mi)
Nearby Cities: 1,155km (718mi) WSW of Jamestown, Saint Helena

More Quakes Strike Oklahoma

Earthquake Hazard
.

Significant Quakes Continue to Strike Oklahoma

At least 10 shallow quakes measuring up to 4.1Mw have occurred in Oklahoma February 5 – 11, 2014.

The quakes have occurred at shallow depths of 3.6 – 5.2km. At least 27 earthquakes have occurred in the state of Oklahoma over the past 30 days.

Earthquake location map. Source: USGS/EHP.

Details of the Most Significant Quake in 30 Days

• Magnitude: 4.1Mw
• Event Time: 2014-02-09 02:16:01 UTC
• Location;: 35.876°N, 97.261°W depth=4.8km (3.0mi)
• Nearby Cities:
  • 7km (4mi) S of Langston, Oklahoma
  • 50km (31mi) NNE of Oklahoma City

Tectonic Summary

Earthquakes in the Stable Continental Region – Natural Occurring Earthquake Activity
[Excerpts from USGS/EHP]

Most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains has infrequent earthquakes. Here and there earthquakes are more numerous, for example in the New Madrid seismic zone centered on southeastern Missouri, in the Charlevoix-Kamouraska seismic zone of eastern Quebec, in New England, in the New York – Philadelphia – Wilmington urban corridor, and elsewhere. However, most of the enormous region from the Rockies to the Atlantic can go years without an earthquake large enough to be felt, and several U.S. states have never reported a damaging earthquake.

Induced Seismicity

As is the case elsewhere in the world, there is evidence that some central and eastern North America earthquakes have been triggered or caused by human activities that have altered the stress conditions in earth’s crust sufficiently to induce faulting. Activities that have induced felt earthquakes in some geologic environments have included impoundment of water behind dams, injection of fluid into the earth’s crust, extraction of fluid or gas, and removal of rock in mining or quarrying operations. In much of eastern and central North America, the number of earthquakes suspected of having been induced is much smaller than the number of natural earthquakes, but in some regions, such as the south-central states of the U.S., a significant majority of recent earthquakes are thought by many seismologists to have been human-induced. Even within areas with many human-induced earthquakes, however, the activity that seems to induce seismicity at one location may be taking place at many other locations without inducing felt earthquakes. In addition, regions with frequent induced earthquakes may also be subject to damaging earthquakes that would have occurred independently of human activity. Making a strong scientific case for a causative link between a particular human activity and a particular sequence of earthquakes typically involves special studies devoted specifically to the question. Such investigations usually address the process by which the suspected triggering activity might have significantly altered stresses in the bedrock at the earthquake source, and they commonly address the ways in which the characteristics of the suspected human-triggered earthquakes differ from the characteristics of natural earthquakes in the region.

Related Links

• M4.5 Quake Strikes NE Edmond Oil and Gas Field, Oklahoma December 8, 2013
• 41 Earthquakes Strike Oklahoma in November  December 1, 2013
• Earthquake No. 19 Strikes N. Texas November 29, 2013
• Two More Quakes Strike North Texas November 29, 2013
• Oil Drilling Likely Caused Texas Earthquake Posted on May 17, 2009
• M3.3 Quake Strikes Azle, Texas Posted on November 25, 2013
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Significant Quake Strikes Near Fontana, California

M4.4 Earthquake Strikes 5km N of Fontana, California

The event followed three other shocks measuring greater than 2.5Mw that struck California over the past 24 hours.

Earthquake Location Maps. Source: USGS/EHP

Magnitude: 4.4Mw
Event Time: 2014-01-15 09:35:19 UTC
Location: 34.144°N, 117.446°W depth=5.2km (3.2mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 5km (3mi) N of Fontana, California
• 8km (5mi) WNW of Rialto, California
• 9km (6mi) NNW of Bloomington, California
• 9km (6mi) W of Muscoy, California

Other Events

• M2.6, 30km ENE of Soledad, California, 2014-01-15 08:30:15 UTC, 36.574°N 121.037°W depth=8.2km (5.1mi)
• M3.2, 31km ENE of Soledad, California, 2014-01-15 08:18:14 UTC, 36.574°N 121.033°W depth=8.9km (5.5mi)
• M3.3, 2km W of Hollister, California, 2014-01-15 04:52:35 UTC, 36.857°N 121.430°W depth=9.5km (5.9mi)

(Source: USGS/EHP)