Earthquakes

RSOE EDIS

Date/Time (UTC)	Magnitude	Area	Country	State/Prov./Gov.	Location	Risk			Source	Details
24.05.2012 08:10:50	3.0	Middle America	Mexico	Estado de Baja California	Independencia Dos				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 07:50:40	3.2	North America	United States	California	Toomey				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 08:15:39	3.2	North America	United States	Colorado	Velasquez Plaza				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 08:00:42	2.3	Europe	Italy		Santa Bianca				EMSC
24.05.2012 08:01:04	4.7	Asia	Japan		Tono				EMSC
24.05.2012 07:36:36	4.5	Asia	Japan	Tokyo-to	Tono				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 08:01:22	2.5	Asia	Turkey		Dagonu				EMSC
24.05.2012 08:01:42	2.5	Europe	Italy		Villa Magri				EMSC
24.05.2012 08:02:02	2.9	Asia	Turkey		Saraylar				EMSC
24.05.2012 07:55:32	4.6	South America	Chile	Region de Atacama	Totoral				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 08:02:28	4.6	South-America	Chile		Totoral				EMSC
24.05.2012 06:55:35	3.0	Europe	Italy		Casa Furnetta				EMSC
24.05.2012 08:02:49	2.9	Europe	Greece		Kattavia				EMSC
24.05.2012 07:41:17	3.1	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Woodville County	Clifton				GEONET
24.05.2012 06:56:02	2.2	Europe	Italy		San Biagio				EMSC
24.05.2012 06:57:07	2.6	Caribbean	Puerto Rico		Hacienda La Delfina				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 06:56:23	2.7	Europe	Italy		Casa Furnetta				EMSC
24.05.2012 06:06:55	3.3	North America	United States	Alaska	Chalkyitsik				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 08:03:09	2.1	Europe	Greece		Sarti				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:51:20	2.7	Asia	Turkey		Rahimler				EMSC
24.05.2012 08:03:28	2.1	Europe	Greece		Kombothekla				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:51:46	2.5	Asia	Turkey		Kucukanafarta				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:52:07	2.8	Europe	Italy		La Massara				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:52:29	2.4	Europe	Italy		Vallacquosa				EMSC
24.05.2012 04:46:13	2.0	North America	United States	Alaska	Kantishna				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 04:41:19	2.2	North America	United States	California	Isla Vista				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 05:05:53	3.0	Caribbean	Puerto Rico		Bizarreta				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 05:52:47	2.2	Europe	Italy		Scortichino				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:53:07	2.1	Europe	Italy		Cortile				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:53:26	2.0	Europe	Italy		Ponte di San Pellegrino				EMSC
24.05.2012 04:11:30	2.8	Middle America	Mexico	Estado de Baja California	Lerma				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 05:53:48	2.6	Europe	Portugal		Ribeirinha				EMSC
24.05.2012 03:05:34	2.2	North America	United States	California	Black Oaks				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 05:54:10	2.5	Asia	Turkey		Cavdir				EMSC
24.05.2012 02:50:42	2.6	North America	United States	Alaska	Donnelly				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 02:46:01	2.5	North America	United States	California	Weldons				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 02:56:10	4.7	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia		Pasilulu				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 06:56:41	4.7	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia		Toguis				EMSC
24.05.2012 05:54:32	3.1	Asia	Turkey		Narli				EMSC
24.05.2012 08:03:49	2.8	Europe	Albania		Fushebardhe				EMSC
24.05.2012 02:01:11	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Iniskin				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 05:54:50	3.8	Europe	Greece		Saria				EMSC
24.05.2012 01:36:14	2.4	North America	United States	California	Lancaster				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 01:47:05	3.0	Europe	Italy		I Colombaroni				EMSC
24.05.2012 01:31:34	2.3	North America	United States	California	East Windsor				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 01:41:03	5.6	Australia	Australia	State of Tasmania	Pelverata				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 01:47:26	5.6	Australia & New-Zealand	Australia		Pelverata				EMSC
24.05.2012 04:00:31	4.4	Asia	Japan	Iwate-ken	Kurosaki				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 02:15:25	4.3	South America	Peru	Departamento de Lima	Guanera				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 01:20:52	5.9	Australia	Australia	State of Tasmania	Pelverata				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 01:47:48	5.5	Australia & New-Zealand	Australia		Pelverata				EMSC
24.05.2012 01:48:10	2.4	Asia	Turkey		Afsar				EMSC
24.05.2012 01:36:41	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Atka				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 01:48:30	2.3	Asia	Turkey		Alakilise				EMSC
24.05.2012 00:46:16	4.6	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia		Simatorkis				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 00:50:55	4.5	Europe	Bulgaria	Oblast Pernik	Kralevdol				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 00:36:13	4.3	Europe	Bulgaria		Lyulin				EMSC
24.05.2012 00:36:34	2.4	Europe	Italy		Poggetto				EMSC
24.05.2012 00:37:00	2.3	Europe	Italy		Casa Alta				EMSC
24.05.2012 00:00:48	4.5	Europe	Italy		Galeazza Pepoli				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 00:37:18	4.3	Europe	Italy		Le Cremosine				EMSC
24.05.2012 00:37:37	2.2	Europe	Italy		La Fruttarola				EMSC
24.05.2012 01:25:45	2.2	North America	Canada	British Columbia	Princeton				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 00:38:02	2.5	Europe	Italy		Ghisellina				EMSC
24.05.2012 03:26:54	2.4	North America	United States	Hawaii	Keoneoio				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 23:30:34	3.0	Caribbean	U.S. Virgin Islands		Peterborg				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 23:41:36	3.6	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Woodville County	Clifton				GEONET
23.05.2012 22:46:11	2.8	Middle America	Mexico	Estado de Baja California	El Misterioso				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 22:46:35	2.8	North America	United States	Alaska	Happy Valley				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 23:35:22	2.2	Europe	Italy		Casa Novara				EMSC
23.05.2012 23:35:43	5.6	Europe	Russia		Kostochko				EMSC
24.05.2012 00:01:10	5.3	Asia	Russia	Sakhalinskaya Oblast'	Kostochko				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 23:36:10	3.2	Asia	Turkey		Agizkara				EMSC
23.05.2012 22:25:34	2.8	North America	United States	California	Newburg				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 22:30:25	2.4	Europe	Italy		La Pettenella				EMSC
23.05.2012 22:15:41	2.0	North America	United States	California	Aspen Springs				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 22:30:43	2.7	Europe	Greece		Kanallakion				EMSC
23.05.2012 22:31:09	2.0	Europe	Italy		La Pettenella				EMSC
23.05.2012 22:31:31	2.3	Europe	Italy		Decima				EMSC
23.05.2012 21:25:30	2.3	Europe	Italy		Scortichino				EMSC
23.05.2012 20:20:40	2.1	Europe	Italy		San Felice sul Panaro				EMSC
23.05.2012 20:21:02	5.1	South-America	Brazil		Vila dos Remedios				EMSC
23.05.2012 20:15:40	5.3	South America	Brazil	Estado de Pernambuco	Vila dos Remedios				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 20:21:23	2.1	Europe	Italy		Poggio Renatico				EMSC
23.05.2012 20:21:44	2.2	Europe	Italy		Moglia				EMSC
23.05.2012 20:22:07	2.3	Europe	Italy		Salvatonica				EMSC
23.05.2012 19:20:39	2.3	Europe	Italy		Casa Alta				EMSC
23.05.2012 19:20:58	2.2	Europe	Italy		San Biagio				EMSC
23.05.2012 19:21:23	2.9	Europe	Italy		Tramuschio				EMSC
23.05.2012 19:21:44	2.0	Europe	Italy		Pago				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:20:34	2.6	Europe	Italy		Santa Bianca				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:20:55	2.1	Europe	Italy		Castrocielo				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:21:14	2.7	Europe	Italy		San Biagio				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:21:34	3.2	Asia	Turkey		Alakilise				EMSC
23.05.2012 17:20:38	2.1	North America	United States	California	Aspen Springs				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:21:56	6.0	Asia	Japan		Shiriya				EMSC
23.05.2012 17:30:44	6.1	Asia	Japan	Aomori-ken	Shikkari				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 19:10:43	3.3	Caribbean	Dominican Republic	Provincia de Samana	El Fronton				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 17:51:04	4.7	South America	Peru	Departamento de Arequipa	Usaca				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:22:18	4.7	South-America	Peru		Usaca				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:22:38	2.7	Europe	Greece		Sarti				EMSC
23.05.2012 17:36:02	4.6	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia		Pasirputih				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:22:58	4.6	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia		Pasirputih				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:23:19	3.0	Europe	Italy		Melara				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:23:41	3.4	Asia	Turkey		Oglansini				EMSC
23.05.2012 16:02:29	3.0	North America	United States	California	Capetown				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:24:02	4.4	Asia	Japan		Toriuchi				EMSC
23.05.2012 17:03:44	4.4	Asia	Japan	Tokyo-to	Toriuchi				USGS-RSOE
24.05.2012 02:15:46	3.8	North America	United States	Hawaii	Niu‘o‘u (historical)				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:24:24	3.1	Europe	France		Saint-Martin-aux-Buneaux				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:24:43	2.7	Europe	Italy		Poggio Renatico				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:25:19	3.0	Europe	Bulgaria		Vitanovtsi				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:25:39	2.5	Europe	Italy		Santa Bianca				EMSC
23.05.2012 15:25:40	2.5	North America	United States	California	Olinda (historical)				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 16:13:09	4.6	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia		Simatorkis				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:25:57	4.6	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia		Simatorkis				EMSC
23.05.2012 15:10:42	2.3	North America	United States	California	Naylor Place				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 18:26:20	2.0	Asia	Turkey		Karagobek				EMSC
23.05.2012 14:50:46	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Beluga				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 14:56:46	2.6	North America	United States	Nevada	Broken Hills (historical)				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 15:15:27	2.3	Asia	Turkey		Teknecik				EMSC
23.05.2012 15:15:48	3.7	Asia	Turkey		Kizilcagil				EMSC
23.05.2012 15:16:10	2.4	Asia	Turkey		Gumussu				EMSC
23.05.2012 14:12:53	2.7	North America	United States	Alaska	Chignik				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 14:10:34	2.9	Europe	Bulgaria		Vitanovtsi				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:45:39	2.0	North America	United States	Hawaii	Volcano				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 14:10:54	3.6	Asia	Taiwan		Ao-hua-ts’un				EMSC
23.05.2012 18:26:40	4.8	Pacific Ocean – West	Guam		Jaotan				EMSC
23.05.2012 15:16:31	2.1	Asia	Turkey		Kirkoy				EMSC
23.05.2012 14:11:15	2.6	Asia	Turkey		Inlice				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:25:44	4.3	Pacific Ocean	Northern Mariana Islands		Marasu				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 14:11:37	4.3	Pacific Ocean – East	Northern Mariana Islands		Marasu				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:10:34	2.8	Europe	Bulgaria		Lyulin				EMSC
23.05.2012 14:11:57	2.5	Asia	Turkey		Kelkelan				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:10:55	3.1	Asia	Turkey		Kurucan				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:11:14	4.6	South-America	Ecuador		Pacayacu				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:45:40	4.6	South America	Ecuador	Provincia del Pastaza	Canelos				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 13:11:36	2.8	Asia	Turkey		Alakoy				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:11:55	3.1	Europe	Italy		Il Motto				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:12:22	2.5	Asia	Turkey		Afsar				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:12:44	3.5	Asia	Turkey		Pirgarip				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:10:25	2.5	Europe	Italy		Dogaro				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:10:50	2.9	Asia	Turkey		Cukurgol Yaylasi				EMSC
23.05.2012 14:12:20	2.0	Europe	Greece		Ano Rachi				EMSC
23.05.2012 13:13:05	4.5	North-America	United States		Iniskin				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:40:53	4.1	North America	United States	Alaska	Port William				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 11:45:36	4.4	North America	United States	Alaska	Port William				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 11:50:44	4.3	Atlantic Ocean	Argentina	Provincia de Jujuy	Sijes				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 12:11:10	4.3	South-America	Argentina		Sijes				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:50:50	2.6	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Woodville County	New Brighton				GEONET
23.05.2012 12:11:31	2.2	Europe	Greece		Sarti				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:11:50	4.4	Asia	China		Arxat				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:12:10	2.2	Asia	Turkey		Tekbas				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:15:45	2.0	North America	United States	Alaska	Golden				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 12:12:31	2.5	Europe	Italy		La Massara				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:05:34	3.2	Europe	Italy		Ghiarone Biondini				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:05:53	2.4	Europe	Czech Republic		Libkovice				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:42:39	2.9	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Woodville County	Castlecliff				GEONET
23.05.2012 12:12:53	2.2	Europe	Greece		Paranimfoi				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:06:14	3.0	Europe	Greece		Kefalovrisi				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:06:35	2.7	Europe	Italy		Vallacquosa				EMSC
23.05.2012 12:13:14	3.7	Asia	Azerbaijan		Fisdiqli				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:06:55	2.4	Asia	Turkey		Batmaz				EMSC
23.05.2012 11:07:16	2.3	Asia	Turkey		Batmaz				EMSC
23.05.2012 10:05:21	2.7	Asia	Turkey		Karakaya				EMSC
23.05.2012 10:05:39	2.3	Europe	Italy		San Carlo				EMSC
23.05.2012 16:27:56	2.7	North America	United States	Alaska	Herendeen Bay				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 09:20:37	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Fox River				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 12:13:33	3.6	Europe	Russia		Demirzhi				EMSC
23.05.2012 09:00:36	3.5	Europe	Italy		Barchessone				EMSC
23.05.2012 16:17:58	3.1	North America	United States	Alaska	Herendeen Bay				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 09:02:24	4.8	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Woodville County	Horoera				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 09:00:58	4.9	Australia & New-Zealand	New Zealand		Horoera				EMSC
23.05.2012 09:01:19	2.5	Asia	Turkey		Karaca				EMSC
23.05.2012 09:01:41	4.3	Africa	Tanzania		Chibwegele				EMSC
23.05.2012 10:06:04	2.2	Europe	Greece		Kattavia				EMSC
23.05.2012 17:18:39	2.2	North America	United States	California	Tatlatunne (historical)				USGS-RSOE
23.05.2012 09:02:00	2.8	Europe	Cyprus		Asomatos				EMSC

………………..

Magnitude 4 quake shakes Imperial County area

‘Creeping quakes’ rumble New Zealand: researchers

(AFP)

WELLINGTON — Researchers have discovered New Zealand’s earthquake-prone landscape is even more unstable than previously thought, recording deep tremors lasting up to 30 minutes on its biggest fault line.

Scientists measured the so-called “creeping earthquakes” when they investigated a puzzling lack of major seismic jolts along a section of the Alpine Fault, which runs the length of the South Island.

The quakes, which caused no surface damage, occurred 20-45 kilometres (12-28 miles) beneath the Earth’s crust and continued for as long as half an hour, much longer than ordinary earthquakes.

In contrast, the 6.3-magnitude quake that killed 185 people in the South island city of Christchurch in February last year lasted just 37 seconds and struck at a depth of about five kilometres.

The quakes could not be measured by regular seismic monitoring devices and researchers from Wellington’s Victoria University had to place sensors in boreholes 100 metres deep to pick them up.

Seismologist Aaron Wech said the research showed the Alpine Fault, regarded as New Zealand’s most hazardous, did not remain still between major earthquakes but was constantly shifting.

Wech said the implications for future earthquakes were unclear.

“It could be that constant tremor builds up stress and may trigger a major fault movement (earthquake) or, alternatively, the activity may decrease the likelihood of a major quake by acting as a release valve for stress,” he said.

“What’s important is that we find out more about these tremor events, such as where they happen and how often, so we can better predict the hazard the Alpine Fault poses.”

The research was published this week in the US journal Geophysical Research Letters.

The government’s GNS Science agency estimates the Alpine Fault has generated four quakes of magnitude 8.0 or higher in the past 900 years, most recently in the early 1700s, and another is overdue.

It says there is a high probability one will occur in the next 40 years, producing “one of the biggest earthquakes since European settlement of New Zealand (which) will have a major impact on the lives of many people”.

The Christchurch earthquake was not caused by the Alpine Fault but a previously unknown fault line, part of a network of seismic fractures criss-crossing New Zealand, which lies on the junction of two tectonic plates.

6.1-magnitude quake hits Japan

TOKYO – A strong 6.1-magnitude undersea earthquake rattled northeast Japan at around midnight on Wednesday, but there were neither immediate reports of damage nor tsunami alert.

The quake hit at 1502 GMT at a depth of 40 kilometres (25 miles), the US Geological Survey said, 120 kilometres from the city of Hakodate, on the northern Hokkaido island.

It was off the same coast but further north from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake in March last year that triggered a monster tsunami, leaving about 19,000 people dead or missing and crippling the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

- AFP/ir

Why Italy’s Earthquake Was Weird

The powerful shaking was a first for the region in centuries — and fairly surprising to seismologists.

Content provided by Andrea Mustain, OurAmazingPlanet

• The magnitude 6.0 quake was a thrust quake, yet it occurred at a depth of just 3 miles (5 kilometers).
• The quake hit about 470 miles (750 km) north of the plate boundary.

A strong and unusually shallow earthquake struck northern Italy over the weekend, fracturing pavement, sending torrents of brick and rubble raining down from buildings, and killing seven people. The powerful shaking was a first for the region in centuries — and fairly surprising to seismologists.

ANALYSIS: Cultural Treasures Crushed In Italy Quake

Data indicate the magnitude 6.0 quake, which struck just after 4 a.m. local time on Sunday (May 20), just north of Bologna, was a thrust quake — the type of earthquake caused when two tectonic plates smash together — yet it occurred at a depth of just 3 miles (5 kilometers).

“It is kind of surprising that it’s that shallow, because it’s pretty far from the plate boundary,” said Paul Caruso, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey. “Normally we expect things to get deeper as they move northward,” he told OurAmazingPlanet.

Shallow shaking

The quake hit about 470 miles (750 km) north of the plate boundary — the place where the two colliding plates meet — which runs along the sole of Italy’s “boot.”

It is here that the African plate is plowing slowly northward, crashing into the Eurasian plate.

Caruso explained that the shallower a quake, the more damage it can cause. “If a quake is 500 kilometers deep, and you’re right on top of it, you’re going to feel it a lot less strongly than if it’s 5 kilometers deep,” he said. “As the seismic energy moves through the ground some of it is dissipated.”

ANALYSIS: Earth Moved – Why No Big Tsunami?

The strong quake rocked an area with a long history of earthquakes, yet one that has kept relatively quiet for hundreds of years.

“There has not been a whole lot of action in that area,” Caruso said. “The fact that they do have records of earthquakes going back a couple thousand years shows this area hasn’t been seismically active for a long time,” he said.

Thousands of people were displaced by the quake, and many people spent the night in tents hurriedly erected on soccer fields.

L’Aquila and aftershocks

The most powerful quake to hit Italy in decades occurred in 2009, in central Italy, near Rome. The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the medieval city of L’Aquila, killing close to 300 people and causing widespread damage.

After that earthquake, Italian officials put several Italian scientists on trial for manslaughter for not providing better warnings ahead of the deadly shaking, a move that has caused an outcry in the international scientific community.

The two Italian quakes were caused by different geological mechanisms. The L’Aquila earthquake was caused when massive rock faces jerked away from one another, where as the recent earthquake was caused by their collision.

Several aftershocks have rocked the affected region, and it’s not clear if this recent earthquake is a harbinger of things to come.

“We don’t know if this is going to trigger more activity in this area or not,” Caruso said. “We would expect to see aftershocks in the area for a while.” There have already been at least 100 aftershocks. (Video: How Earthquakes Lead To Aftershocks)

The shaking could continue for weeks or months, he said.

PHOTOS: Quake Pummels New Zealand

Sumatra earthquake mysteries examined

 by Lin Edwards

Topographic map of Sumatra. Image: Wikipedia.

(Phys.org) — An earthquake in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia on 11th April was unusually powerful, at magnitude 8.6, for a “strike-slip” type of quake, and a new analysis of the earthquake and its 8.2 magnitude after-shock has proposed that some of the assumptions made about earthquakes may need re-thinking.

A strike-slip earthquake is one in which there is an almost vertical rupture, leading to two plates sliding horizontally past each other. The San Andreas Fault in California produces strike-slip earthquakes, and the most powerful earthquake along this fault was the San Francisco quake of 1906, which measured 7.8.

Events as powerful as the Sumatra earthquake are usually caused by ruptures in subduction zones, in which the edge of one tectonic plate slips underneath the edge of the adjoining plate. An earthquake of this type on the sea bed can cause massive tsunamis because of vertical displacement of water above the point of slippage. A recent example was the magnitude 9 earthquake off Japan last year.

The Sumatra earthquake’s magnitude surprised scientists because it was the most powerful strike-slip earthquake ever recorded. The quake was also unusual in that the rupture was in the middle of an oceanic plate rather than at the boundary between two plates. The slippage distance was surprisingly large; the 1906 San Francisco earthquake produced a slippage of 4.5 meters, while in Sumatra the distance was 21.3 meters.

Seismologists Jeffrey McGuire of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Gregory Beroza of Stanford University’s Department of Geophysics discuss the Sumatran earthquake in the May 10th issue of Science. McGuire said that many large earthquakes have occurred away from the edges of oceanic plates in the last few years, but they generally do not cause damage or threaten lives because they are at sea and are unlikely to cause large tsunamis unless they result in submarine landslides.

The lack of monitoring networks on the sea bed makes understanding these earthquakes difficult, but the researchers said the seismology readings from the Sumatra earthquake suggest the quake was unusually deep at 40-53 km (25-33 miles). At this depth the rock could reach up to 800 degrees Celsius and become viscous in places, and melting of fault zones is also possible, leading to the release of enormous amounts of energy.

Professor Beroza said analyzing the Sumatran earthquake could shed some light on earthquakes occurring in the middle of continental plates as well as oceanic plates, and the findings suggest this type of earthquake could be of greater magnitude in continental plates than scientists had previously thought.

Sumatra lies on the “Ring of Fire” around the Pacific Basin, a particularly active region for seismic and volcanic events.

More information: A Rogue Earthquake Off Sumatra, Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1223983

Abstract
A magnitude 8.6 strike-slip earthquake within an oceanic plate raises fundamental questions about earthquake physics.

Journal reference: Science

© 2012 Phys.Org

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Extreme Temperatures/ Weather

Karen Bota

Larry Kline of Kline Krest Certified Organic Produce in Lyons works on plants for summer harvest Monday.

Michigan’s unseasonably warm winter and late April freeze  means a near-total loss to many Ionia County growers of apples, peaches and other tree fruits.

“It’s been a severe year as far as all Michigan cherries, apples, plums, peaches,” said Alex Hanulcik of Hanulcik Farm Market and Hanulcik Pick-Your-Own Peach and Apple Orchards in Ionia. “It’s all pretty much gone across the state.”

More than half of Michigan’s apple crop, and possibly more, could be lost, according to The Packer, a news source for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.

In southwest Michigan, damage to tree fruit was even more grim, although the extent won’t be known until early June.

Hanulcik estimated his loss at “approaching 100 percent.” Luckily the strawberries were only minimally damaged, but that is small comfort.

“When two-thirds of what you grow is gone, I’m dependent upon what little is left,” he said.

“I’ve been through a number of years, and I haven’t seen anything like it,” said Hanulcik, who has been farming since 1985. His grandparents started the business in 1936.

“People have told me this is similar to 1945, when it was a complete wipeout,” he added.

Larry Kline of Kline Krest Certified Organic Produce in Lyons said he lost 99 percent of his fruit tree crops and most of his strawberries. He’s been a strawberry grower for three decades.

Read Full Article Here

High Wind Warning

LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
HONOLULU HI
HANFORD CA
MIDLAND/ODESSA TX

Gale Warning

GAYLORD MI
GRAND RAPIDS MI
HONOLULU HI
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
POINT ARENA TO POINT CONCEPTION
POINT CONCEPTION TO GUADALUPE ISLAND
CHICAGO IL
ANCHORAGE ALASKA

Hard Freeze Warning

SALT LAKE CITY UT

Freeze Warning

ELKO NV

Red Flag Warning

FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

ELKO NV
ALBUQUERQUE NM
SALT LAKE CITY UT
EL PASO TX/SANTA TERESA NM
FLAGSTAFF AZ
TUCSON AZ
LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
LAS VEGAS NV
PHOENIX AZ
MIDLAND/ODESSA TX
RENO NV

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Storms, Flooding

Active tropical storm system(s)
Name of storm system	Location	Formed	Last update	Last category	Course	Wind Speed	Gust	Wave	Source	Details

Bud

Pacific Ocean – East

21.05.2012

24.05.2012

Tropical Storm

350 °

111 km/h

139 km/h

3.66 m

NHC

Tropical Storm data

Sanvu

Pacific Ocean

21.05.2012

24.05.2012

Typhoon I.

340 °

120 km/h

148 km/h

3.66 m

JTWC

 Tropical Storm data

Storm Warning

LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

OMAHA/VALLEY NE
NORMAN OK

Flash Flood Watch

SIOUX FALLS SD
TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN

Flood Warning

BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX

Flood Advisory

RALEIGH NC
OMAHA/VALLEY NEBRASKA 
TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
DULUTH MN
FAIRBANKS AK

……………

 Tsunami Information

Hawaii Region
Date/Time (UTC)	Message	Location	Magnitude	Depth	Status	Details
23.05.2012 14:10 PM	Correction–local Tsunami Information Statement	In The Deep Ocean Off The Kona Coast Of Big Island	3.8	0 km

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Epidemic Hazard/Disease

Another Case of Deadly Flesh-Eating Disease in Georgia

7 NATO Officials Treated For Flu-Like Symptoms

A military official holds a NATO flag on April 4, 2009 during the NATO summit in Strasbourg, eastern France. (MICHAEL URBAN/AFP/Getty Images)

CHICAGO (STMW) – Seven NATO officials staying at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place hotel were being treated Monday after being stricken with flu-like symptoms, law enforcement sources said.

Officials were looking into whether the incident was due to food poisoning, the Sun-Times is reporting.

A U.S. Secret Service spokesman said he believed that seven people were stricken and were being treated but referred other questions to the NATO delegation.

A spokeswoman for the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place said the hotel was alerted Monday that “several” hotel guests complained of feeling ill.

“We have provided them with access to medical attention and are taking appropriate steps to ensure their comfort and safety,” Lori Alexander said. “The cause of their illness is not yet determined and is being investigated.”

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Today

Epidemic

Philippines

Mindanao, Zamboanga

Epidemic in Philippines on Thursday, 24 May, 2012 at 04:21 (04:21 AM) UTC.

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Solar Activity

2MIN News May23: Animal Deaths, Magnetic Storm

Published on May 23, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

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Space

Earth approaching objects (objects that are known in the next 30 days)
Object Name	Apporach Date	Left	AU Distance	LD Distance	Estimated Diameter*	Relative Velocity
(2011 KG4)	24th May 2012	0 day(s)	0.1216	47.3	67 m – 150 m	11.50 km/s	41400 km/h
1 AU = ~150 million kilometers,1 LD = Lunar Distance = ~384,000 kilometers Source: NASA-NEO

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Mysterious Booms / Rumblings

‘Sonic boom’ caused tremors felt across the north of Scotland

A sonic boom has been blamed for tremors that were felt by residents across the north of Scotland.

The strange vibrations were phoned into police late on Tuesday night by people in Cults, Inverbervie, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Cove, and even Arbroath.

A spokesman for Grampian Police confirmed the reports and said the force had received around a dozen calls between 8.45pm and 11.15pm on Tuesday.

He said: “Grampian Police can confirm that following the numerous reports from members of the public who felt ‘tremors’ during the evening of Tuesday, May 22, the British Geological Survey have reported no significant seismic activity. No reports of injuries or damage have been received.

“The Ministry of Defence have confirmed that they regularly conduct supersonic flight over sea around the whole of the UK, when aircraft do fly at such speeds a sonic boom is created that could be mistaken for an explosion or a tremor.

“Given the weather conditions (high pressure anti-cyclone) overnight, the noise from any aircraft flying at supersonic speeds travel would have travelled over long distances and this is likely what was heard.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it was “likely” that the tremors were caused by a supersonic jet.

He said the high pressure over the north-east last night was the likely cause of the supersonic booms being heard more clearly around the region.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has also confirmed that the tremors were not the result of an earthquake.

Tremors can be caused by seismic events, like earthquakes, but can also be the result of sonic booms produced by high-velocity aircraft.

Watch Video Here

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Articles of Interest

23.05.2012

Technological Disaster

Zimbabwe

Zvishavane [Mimosa platinum mine]

Technological Disaster in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, 23 May, 2012 at 10:13 (10:13 AM) UTC.

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