Earthquakes
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Bizarro Earth

5.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Sichuan, China

Map of China
© USGS
China's central province of Sichuan has been shaken by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake according to the US geological service (USGS).

The data provided by the USGS also says that another tremor, measuring 5.2, hit the same region about 30 minutes earlier.

According to the USGS the latest earthquake had a depth of nearly 25 kilometers, while its predecessor's measured 22.7 kilometers.

Bizarro Earth

USGS: Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes southeast of Japan's main island

The epicentre of Tuesday’s quake was located about 617km south-southeast of Tokyo at a depth of 10km.
© USGS websiteThe epicentre of Tuesday’s quake was located about 617km south-southeast of Tokyo at a depth of 10km.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck in the early hours of Wednesday to the southeast of Japan's main island of Honshu, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake had a depth of 33 km and occurred nearly 400 km (250 miles) from the Izu islands just southeast of Honshu. There were no immediate reports of a tsunami or of any damage.

Seismograph

USGS: Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off Vanuatu

Vanuatu
© Flickr/ eGuide Travel
The earthquake hit about 7 kilometers (4 miles) northeast of Norsup at 02:31 GMT on Saturday; its epicenter was located at a depth of about 37 kilometers (23 miles).

There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties. No tsunami warning was issued. The Vanuatu Islands are part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire quake zone, where about 90 percent of the world's earthquakes occur.

Seismograph

Magnitude 5.2 earthquake detected off British Columbia, Canada

Canada earthquake
© Earthquake TrackAn earthquake struck near Haida Gwai on Friday afternoon.

No damage or tsunami expected, Earthquakes Canada says


A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck off British Columbia's Central Coast Friday afternoon.

Data from Earthquakes Canada shows the trembler hit at 12:45 p.m. PT just south of Haida Gwaii or 195 kilometres west of Bella Bella.

Earthquakes Canada says no one has reported feeling the quake and no damage or tsunami is expected.

Comment: The really big one: The next full Cascadia rupture will spell the worst natural disaster in North American history


Attention

Magnitude 5.4 earthquake hits near active Volcano in Nicaragua

Momotombo volcano
© ReutersNicaragua's landmark Momotombo volcano erupted for the first time in 110 years back in December, 2015.
The National Preventive System for Disasters, or SINAPRED, have activated operatives in the affected areas including the capital city of Managua.

An earthquake measuring at least 5.4 on the Richter scale struck 7-and-a half miles from the municipality of Laz Paz Centro and in close proximity to the active Volcano Momotombo in Nicaragua late Wednesday, sparking major aftershocks, and fear, but no reported casualties.

The earthquake struck at 11:57 PM local time, and an initial aftershock measuring 4.4. After the initial aftershock, the National Preventive System for Disasters, or SINAPRED, report that another 10 had followed.

Even more are expected, according to SINAPRED authorities, who have also confirmed the earthquake is connected to the 6.1. and 7.3 earthquakes that hit Nicaragua in April and October 2014, respectively.

According to Dr. Armando Saballos, authorities are assessing the situation and monitoring the activity of Momotombo, which so far has given "no indication that the volcano has increased in activity." Various news agencies reported the Wednesday earthquake measured anywhere from 5.4 to 5.9 in magnitude. The maximum ever recorded on the Richter scale was 9.5 by a 1960 Chilean earthquake.

Seismograph

Shallow magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes near Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands
© TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty ImagesHoniara is the capital of the Solomon Islands

The region has been struck by a number of earthquakes in recent years


A magnitude 6 earthquake has struck 89km west of Honiara on the Solomon Islands, the US Geographical Survey has said.

The quake had a depth of 10km, which is considered shallow.

It struck at approximately 18:00 local time or 07:30 UK time.

Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands.

There have been no reports of injuries or serious damage and no immediate tsunami warning has been issued.

The US Geographical Society has issued a green alert, saying "there is a low likelihood of casualties and damage". They warned that some secondary effects or further damage may be possible as "recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses."

Bizarro Earth

5.9 earthquake strikes Colombia

Colombia quake map
© SkyAlert / Twitter
A powerful earthquake measuring 5.9 magnitude has struck northwest Colombia, the US Geological Survey reports.

The epicenter of the quake was located some 129 km (about 66 miles) north northwest of the country's second largest city, Medellin, at a depth of 72 km (45 miles).

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Alarm Clock

Residents jolted awake by magnitude 3.5 earthquake in Oakland, California

quake map
© usgs
A magnitude 3.5 earthquake awakened Oakland residents early Tuesday morning, but caused no reported damage, authorities said.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was centered in Piedmont and was felt in Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and San Leandro.

The quake struck at 12:40 a.m. and except for waking up residents did not cause any significant damage.

Alison Kane, who lives near Lake Merritt, said on the KPIX 5 Facebook page that she felt a strong jolt.

"Felt it over here by the lake! 3 miles away," she wrote. "Shook the whole apt building. Meanwhile my chihuahua slept soundly, snoring. Guess I can't rely on him to be a pre-quake alarm."

Info

Japanese researchers link earthquakes to moon phases

A study by Japanese researchers has linked the timing of large earthquakes with tidal stresses around the time of a new or full moon.
Full Moon
© 123rf
Research conducted by University of Tokyo academics and published in the journal Nature Geoscience examined the tidal activity prior to large earthquakes around the world during the last 20 years.

The study looked at earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 or higher, including the magnitude 9 earthquake that struck Japan in March 2011, triggering a devastating tsunami.

It said some of the biggest quakes occurred when tidal stresses were high, at spring tides, just after a new or full moon.

Victoria University geophysicist John Townend said the research did not mean people could predict when and where a big earthquake was likely to strike.

Seismograph

Record 5.8 magnitude earthquake rocks southeastern South Korea; preceeded by 5.1-magnitude shake less than an hour earlier

Graph
© Dimas Ardian, Getty Images
A record magnitude-5.8 earthquake jolted South Korea's southwestern region, the country's meteorological agency said Monday.

The quake detected at 8:35 p.m. was the strongest tremor reported on land in the country with the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) saying the epicenter was near Naenam-myeon region in Gyeongju, some 371 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

The quake was preceded by a 5.1-magnitude tremor detected at 7:44 p.m. in the same area located some 9 kilometers south of Gyeongju. The second quake was felt in most parts of the country.

No serious damage was immediately reported, including at the Wolsong, Hanul and Gori nuclear power plants located in the Gyeongsang region.



Comment: See also this report of the earlier event: Magnitude 5.3 earthquake rocks southeastern South Korea