© USGSA 3.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Florida on July 16, 2016.
The 3.7-magnitude quake had an epicenter that was 104 miles (168 kilometers) east-northeast of Daytona Beach, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It hit at about 4 p.m. local time and originated at a depth of about 3 miles (5 km). According to the USGS ShakeMap, some weak tremors were reported and picked up by scientific instruments on the mainland, but the quake was too weak to cause any damage.
Earthquakes are rare in Florida, and the reason for the relative peace has to do with Florida's position on the North American plate. The state sits on the passive margin of the plate, a transition from land to ocean that isn't seismically active. In contrast, the western end of the North American plate — the active margin — is slipping under the Pacific Plate, triggering the medium-to-large earthquakes that are commonly experienced in California.
According to the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), there have only been about 24 "seismic events" reported since 1727. A 1997 review suggested that only five were actual earthquakes.
Comment: Based on our research here at Sott, we suspect that our upper atmosphere is being loaded with comet dust which has a cooling effect causing ice crystals to form. The result is the appearance of noctilucent clouds and other strange atmospheric formations. An increase in the appearance of these clouds and others formations are a portent for what is to come.
- Mysterious iridescent cloud falls from the sky over Mexico on Good Friday
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See: SOTT Exclusive: NASA blowing meteor smoke as noctilucent clouds intensify