Update 03:06 UTC : Still waiting for more news from inside Myanmar. After such a massive earthquake, we reckon that the power and the telecommunications will be down in a radius of at least 50 km around the epicenter.
– Awaiting more news we have been checking the landscape in the epicenter area. More bad news here, the epicenter is rather close to a transform fault line. Transform earthquakes are among the most damaging earthquake types.
Additionally, the epicenter is close to an important river bed, which means that soft sediment can make a serious portion of the soil. Soft soil is very dangerous for earthquakes. Rock layers are decreasing the wave. Acceleration maps would give us a clue how the soil in that area is composed.
– The image below shows a detailed view of the epicenter area and the towns. The bigger star is the M6.8 mainshock, the 3 smaller stars the M5 aftershocks.
Update 02:52 UTC : The earthquake happened right on top of a known fault line. In developed countries houses will have been build using earthquake resistant methods. We do not think that this has been the case here.
Closest cities are :
Update 02:52 UTC : USGS has just increased (after recalculation by seismologists) the Magnitude to M6.8 (from M6.6) at a depth of 9.7 km. An increase from 6.6 to 6.8 is a strong increase and is opposite at what we hoped.
Update 02:46 UTC : The earthquake has been felt in all the neighbouring countries, which means Thailand, China and India
– We urge our Myanmar readers to let us know the whereabouts from people near the epicenter area if they get such information. You can use the form below to do this.
– Most of the Myanmar people reading our article are coming from Rangoon and Mandalay.
– The highest MMI value people have reported to USGS is MMI VII, very strong shaking . The number of testimonies is however too small to be reliable
Update 02:40 UTC : So far we have NO news from within our 50 km radius. Mandalay at 117 km from the epicenter is too far away to be in the danger zone.
– Testimonies we received out of Mandalay at Earthquake-report.com are talking about a 1 to 2 minute shaking. This is very bad news as sustained shaking can be even more damaging. We truly hope that we are wrong, but the signs are not good at all.
Update 02:20 UTC : USGS has calculated what a M6.6 at 9.9 km would mean for the local people? Very strong and severe shaking can be damaging. In total 89000 people are living in this area.
– 1 good issue can be that the earthquake happened during the morning hours so that most people will not have been inside their houses.
Update 02:17 UTC : Our reporting will only continue on this page
– USGS has modified his preliminary data from M7.0 to M6.6, but has also reduced the depth from 33.9 to 9.9 km. The overall danger remains as we initially have stated it.
Update 02:14 UTC : The greater epicenter area is currently rattled with very powerful aftershocks. these can go on for days and even weeks after such a massive earthquake.
– Seismologists all over the world are currently calculating the improved versions of the preliminary data. These can differ seriously from the initial ones.
– Residents from Mandalay, the second biggest commercial city in central Myanmar, told Reuters that they felt a very strong tremor. ”I’ve never felt such strong tremor. I also heard some loud noises and the light went out. No idea about the damage,” a resident said.
Update 01:58 UTC : Following USGS calculations, 23000 people may have experienced a severe MMI VII shaking. Such shaking can be very damaging, especially for houses which have been build without earthquake resistant methods. The figure below is very alarming as the orange part is at great risk for damage.
Shaking map, courtesy USGS
Update 01:38 UTC : We do absolutely NOT like what we see. Also the nearby Chinese seismological instruments are reporting a Magnitude of M7.0 at a depth of 20 km ! Such an earthquake at this depth is very destructive !
Update 01:47 UTC : If the earthquake parameters are confirmed, we call more than 1 million people at risk for damage and eventual injuries. This number of people is living whitin a radius of 50 km from the epicenter?
We have to stress that all the current data is preliminary and maybe modified down- or upwards later on. Let’s hope the numbers will decrease.
We will soon start an in-depth article on this probably very damaging earthquake.
A very dangerous earthquake just occurred in Myanmar. The preliminary Magnitude is M6.7 ! at a depth of 30 km.
If these parameters are confirmed, we have to call this earthquake extremely dangerous.
Based on the readers present in our site, this earthquake was also felt in Thailand.
Distances from the epicenter :
27km (17mi) E of Shwebo, Myanmar
62km (39mi) NNW of Mandalay, Myanmar
69km (43mi) SW of Mogok, Myanmar
72km (45mi) N of Sagaing, Myanmar
308km (191mi) N of Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Update 01:29 UTC : USGS is making this earthquake even more dangerous as it is reporting a Magnitude of M7.0 at a depth of 33.7 km
These data can indicate a VERY DAMAGING earthquake !
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : M7.0 (CENC)
UTC Time : 2012-11-11 01:12:38 UTC
Local time at epicenter : 2012-11-11 07:42:38 UTC+06:30 at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 20 km (CENC)
Geo-location(s) :
56km (35mi) NNE of Shwebo, Myanmar
60km (37mi) WNW of Mogok, Myanmar
117km (73mi) N of Mandalay, Myanmar
123km (76mi) NNW of Maymyo, Myanmar
364km (226mi) N of Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
…..
Update Nov. 13, 10:20 UTC :
The Myanmar earthquake in Pictures by news agency AFP (Please click on the image below to see the series of pictures)
Please click on this picture to watch the AFP images in full size
Update Nov. 13, 09:04 UTC :
– International Red Cross has reported that the earthquake in Myanmar has made 26 victims, a lot more than officially admitted. We still do not understand why governments are downplaying disasters. China and Russia stopped doing this, but some countries are still trying to fool their own population.
Excerpt from the Red Cross report of November 12 :
The Myanmar Red Cross Society, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has determined that external assistance is not required at this stage, pending receipt of a full assessment report and analysis of the situation. It is, therefore, not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time.
An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck central Myanmar on 11 November at 7.42 a.m. local time. Twenty-six people died and 231 were injured as a result. About 462 structures were damaged.
The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has provided emergency relief supplies to 200 families in two locations, while emergency services such as first aid and referrals to health facilities are being provided to affected people in seven of the worst-hit townships. Volunteers are conducting situation assessments and working closely with local authorities.
Update Nov. 12, 19:43 UTC :
– Excerpt from an article as it appeared earlier today in the Burmese newspaper “The Irrawaddy” :
It was before 8 am when Nay Win Myint felt a sudden jolt in his Mandalay cottage. He put down his book to find that his home was shaking. “It was like an elephant ramming into my house,” said the famous Burmese writer who lives 169 km (105 miles) south from the epicenter of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Upper Burma on Sunday. Read more …
for ore information, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2012/11/11/extremely-dangerous-and-maybe-destructive-earthquake-in-central-myanmar/
Understanding the Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (Canada) October 27/28 2012 massive earthquake
Last update: November 8, 2012 at 5:59 pm by By Armand Vervaeck
A massive M7.7 earthquake struck below Haida Gwaii, formerly known as Queen Charlotte Islands Canada –
The October 28th, 2012 (October 27 at the location of the epicenter) M 7.7 earthquake south of Masset, Canada, occurred as a result of oblique-thrust faulting near the plate boundary between the Pacific and North America plates. At the location of this event, the Pacific plate moves approximately north-northwest with respect to the North America plate at a rate of approximately 50 mm/yr.
This earthquake is likely associated with relative motion across the Queen Charlotte fault system offshore of British Columbia, Canada. Studies of tectonics in this region suggest plate motions are taken up by strike slip faulting parallel to the plate boundary, accompanied by lesser amounts of thrust motion to accommodate the oblique nature of the plate motion vector between the two plates with respect to the orientation of the main plate boundary fault structure.
This oblique component of plate motion may involve either underthrusting of the western edge of the Pacific Plate beneath North America, or be taken up on crustal faults within the North America plate. The October 28th earthquake is consistent with either scenario.
This region of the Pacific:North America plate boundary has hosted 7 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater over the past 40 years – the largest of which was a M 6.6 earthquake in 2009, 80 km to the south east of the 2012 earthquake.
In 1949, a M 8.1 earthquake occurred closer to the Pacific:North America plate boundary, likely as a result of strike-slip faulting, approximately 100 km northwest of the October 28th earthquake, near the northern extent of Haida Gwaii region (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands).
Felt (V) in the Masset-Queen Charlotte City area and (IV) at Fort Saint James, Kelowna, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Revelstoke. Felt from Seattle, Washington to Juneau, Alaska and Calgary, Alberta.
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 7,7
UTC Time : 2012-10-28 03:04:08 UTC
Local time at epicenter : 2012-10-27 20:04:08 UTC-07:00 at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 17.5 km
Geo-location(s) :
Dangerous earthquake in Northern Iran
Whats looks as a moderate Magnitude is always very tricky in Iran. USGS Has predicted a MMI VII for 2000 people. MMI VII means immediate shaking danger for damage and injuries. We are not confident at all that there will be no victims based on the current preliminary findings.
The epicenter area is the earlier destructed Ahar area (see our extensive August 11 earthquake report)
A lot of the houses in the area are still in a bad shape and may suffer again from today’s earthquake. Additionally, winter is on his way with very deep temperatures in this area of the world.
A quote from Tabriz, 51 km from the epicenter : “my bed,chair,computer desk and everything shaked and I ran out ! everybody came to streets , we’re worry about next ones!” Update 08:31 UTC : Mehrnews reports that 30 people have been treated in hospitals so far Update 09:11 UTC : The Iranian authorities are luckily reporting a lower Magnitude of M5.1 at a depth of 19 km, a lot weaker than reported by USGS and EMSC. What maybe comes as a surprise to us is not really a surprise in the area as aftershocks have been rattling the area for some days (see below the stronger ones) !
– 2012/11/07 06:26:29 38.43 N 46.60 E 19 5.1 Varzaghan, East Azarbaijan
– 2012/10/27 03:56:41 38.40 N 46.65 E 4 4.0 Varzaghan, East Azarbaijan
– 2012/10/26 22:31:16 38.46 N 46.65 E 10 4.3 Varzaghan, East Azarbaijan Update 11:16 UTC : The two quakes left more than 250 people dead, injured nearly 1,400 others and inflicted heavy damage on the region. More than 1,800 aftershocks have struck the area since the first quake.
Last update: November 7, 2012 at 5:23 pm by By Ashish Khanal
Update 17:34 UTC : The Guatemalan Instituto Nacional de Sismología reports a Magnitude of 7.2 at a depth and mentions a MMI of V at many Guatemalan locations. The earthquake was well felt at Guatemala, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Alta Verapaz, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, Zacapa, Escuintla and Quiché.
Update 17:26 UTC : Based on the current USGS data, 236000 people will have experienced a very strong shaking (MMI VII). Nearly 2 million people a strong shaking. We will have to wait a little longer to get a better view on the potential damage. The chance on damage cannot be excluded as the location of the epicenter has been relocated closer to the coast.
Update 17:23 UTC : The max. MMI has been increased by USGS from VI to VII (strong increased to very strong shaking). The main risk however is a tsunami risk at the closest shores to the epicenter.
USGS is currently reporting a Magnitude of 7.5 at a depth of 33 km.
Luckily the epicenter is about 20 miles out of the coast which will weaken the shaking a lot.
So far a MMI VI has been reported (strong shaking).
There will certainly have been called a Tsunami alarm as the epicenter was close to the coast.
NOAA stipulates that there is NO tsunami warning for ALASKA/ BRITISH COLUMBIA/ WASHINGTON/ OREGON AND CALIFORNIA…, which must be a relief for those areas. NOAA Tsunami bulletin We will soon start an in-depth article on this massive earthquake. Update 17:09 UTC : The max. shaking values we have received so far are MMI VI, which is very hopeful (minor damage and injuries expected at these values). The first reports we did receive did locate the epicenter closer to the coast, which is not confirmed by other agencies.
Shaking map courtesy USGS
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 7.4
UTC Time : 2012-11-07 16:35:50 UTC
Local time at epicenter : 2012-11-07 10:35:50 UTC-06:00 at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 41.6 km
Geo-location(s) :
24km (15mi) S of Champerico, Guatemala
55km (34mi) SSW of Retalhuleu, Guatemala
60km (37mi) SSW of San Sebastian, Guatemala
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 7,7
UTC Time : 2012-10-28 03:04:08 UTC
Local time at epicenter : 2012-10-27 20:04:08 UTC-07:00 at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 17.5 km
Geo-location(s) :
139km (86mi) S of Masset, Canada
199km (124mi) SSW of Prince Rupert, Canada
288km (179mi) SW of Terrace, Canada
551km (342mi) NW of Campbell River, Canada
636km (395mi) SSE of Juneau, Alaska
2012-10-28 17:00 UTC
– THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS ENDED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 0358 AM HST.
– All the advisories have now been ended
– Luckily, there is NO report of damage from British Columbia
2012-10-28 13:31 UTC
– Tsunami advisory is still in effect in Hawaii. We do not think big changes will occur, but people should at least stay away from the shoreline for at least several hours and until all advisories are cleared (can take many more hours)
2012-10-28 12:05 UTC
THE TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW CANCELLED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII. A TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS ISSUED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 1254 AM HST.
…THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS CANCELED FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA FROM GUALALA POINT CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80
MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/ TO THE OREGON-CALIFORNIA BORDER…
THE TSUNAMI THREAT HAS DIMINISHED FOR ALASKA/ BRITISH COLUMBIA/WASHINGTON/ OREGON OR CALIFORNIA. HOWEVER… SOME AREAS MAY EXPERIENCE NON-DAMAGING SEA LEVEL CHANGES. AS LOCAL CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE A WIDE VARIATION IN TSUNAMI WAVE ACTION THE ALL CLEAR DETERMINATIONS MUST BE MADE BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
2012-10-28 10:53 UTC THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA FROM GUALALA POINT CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/ TO THE OREGON-CALIFORNIA BORDER…
2012-10-28 10:44 UTC
– The max. tsunami waves so far measured at Hawaii are 76 cm high at Kahului (Maui) (still less than expected by the weather channel). These are the most readings so far :
The video below is a very interesting interview with a scientists from NOAA. He is giving a lot of info on the tsunami waves and their behaviour in Hawaii.
2012-10-28 10:27 UTC CBC Canada reports that Dennis Sinnott (Canadian Institute of Ocean Science) said that a 69-centimetre wave was recorded off Langara Island on the northeast tip of Haida Gwaii, formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands. The islands are home to about 5,000 people, many of them members of the Haida aboriginal group.
Another 55-centimetre wave hit Winter Harbour on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, while a 12-centimetre wave was recorded in Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s west coast.
2012-10-28 09:46 UTC TSUNAMI ADVISORY STATUS IS CANCELLED FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA AND OREGON. TSUNAMI ADVISORY STATUS REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
2012-10-28 09:46 UTC Tsunami waves have reached parts of Hawaii. The Tsunami warning remains in effect.
Here are the first readings :
Image courtesy NOAA
2012-10-28 08:51 UTC – NO CHANGES IN THE CURRENT SITUATION
2012-10-28 08:26 UTC – Tsunami warning remains in effect for Hawaii (expected arrival time 10:28 PM)
2012-10-28 07:54 UTC
THE ADVISORY IS CANCELLED FOR SE ALASKA AND CONTINUES FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
2012-10-28 07:27 UTC
– The earthquake has been felt as far as Edmonton, Canada which is … 1700 km east of the epicenter
– Hawaii keeps his breath for eventual tsunami waves or currents
– A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF LONG OCEAN WAVES. EACH INDIVIDUAL WAVE CREST CAN LAST 5 TO 15 MINUTES OR MORE AND EXTENSIVELY FLOOD COASTAL AREAS. THE DANGER CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL WAVE AS SUBSEQUENT WAVES ARRIVE. TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
TSUNAMI WAVES EFFICIENTLY WRAP AROUND ISLANDS. ALL SHORES ARE AT RISK NO MATTER WHICH DIRECTION THEY FACE.
THE TROUGH OF A TSUNAMI WAVE MAY TEMPORARILY EXPOSE THE SEAFLOOR BUT THE AREA WILL QUICKLY FLOOD AGAIN.
EXTREMELY STRONG AND UNUSUAL NEARSHORE CURRENTS CAN ACCOMPANY A TSUNAMI. DEBRIS PICKED UP AND CARRIED BY A TSUNAMI AMPLIFIES ITS DESTRUCTIVE POWER.
SIMULTANEOUS HIGH TIDES OR HIGH SURF CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE TSUNAMI HAZARD.
2012-10-28 06:57 UTC
– The WeatherChannel reports that parts of Hawaii may see waves heights as much as 7 feet. Waikiki coast has been asked to evacuate. If the weather channel is correct, this will be a serious current heading for Hawaii
– NOAA Hawaii Tsunami report nr 5 states that :
A TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII. THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS : 1028 PM HST SAT 27 OCT 2012
2012-10-28 06:57 UTC
– No change in advisory and warning areas in Alaska Tsunami Center report nr. 8
THE ADVISORY REGIONS ARE KEPT THE SAME. NEW OBSERVATIONS ARE ADDED BELOW
…THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA AND OREGON FROM GUALALA POINT
CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/ TO DOUGLAS-LANE COUNTY LINE OREGON/10 MILES SW OF FLORENCE/…
…THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH COLUMBIA BORDER TO CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/…
…THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA FROM THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO GUALALA
POINT CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/…
…THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF OREGON AND WASHINGTON FROM DOUGLAS-LANE COUNTY LINE
OREGON/10 MILES SW OF FLORENCE/ TO THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH COLUMBIA BORDER…
…THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF
SITKA/ TO ATTU ALASKA…
2012-10-28 06:22 UTC
– Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory for British Columbia and Alaska
Most important elements of Alaska Tsunami Center report nr. 7 :
THE WARNING IS DOWNGRADED TO AN ADVISORY FOR SE ALASKA AND NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA. MORE OBSERVATIONS ARE INCLUDED BELOW.
…THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA AND OREGON FROM GUALALA POINT
CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/ TO DOUGLAS-LANE COUNTY LINE OREGON/10 MILES SW OF FLORENCE/…
…THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FROM THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH COLUMBIA BORDER TO THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA…
…THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THE COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA TO CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/…
…THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA FROM THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO GUALALA
POINT CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/…
…THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF OREGON AND WASHINGTON FROM DOUGLAS-LANE COUNTY LINE
OREGON/10 MILES SW OF FLORENCE/ TO THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH COLUMBIA BORDER…
…THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF
SITKA/ TO ATTU ALASKA…
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED WHICH IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE ADVISORY REGIONS LISTED IN THE HEADLINE. PEOPLE IN LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS ARE ONLY ORDERED BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES.
– IF IN A TSUNAMI ADVISORY COASTAL AREA MOVE OUT OF THE WATER… OFF THE BEACH AND OUT OF HARBORS AND MARINAS.
Tsunami gauge measurements at various stations :
2012-10-28 06:19 UTC
– Hawaii tsunami report nr. 4 states : A TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.
EVALUATION
A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE ALONG COASTLINES OF ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY.
A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF LONG OCEAN WAVES. EACH INDIVIDUAL WAVE CREST CAN LAST 5 TO 15 MINUTES OR MORE AND EXTENSIVELY FLOOD COASTAL AREAS. THE DANGER CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL WAVE AS SUBSEQUENT WAVES ARRIVE. TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
TSUNAMI WAVES EFFICIENTLY WRAP AROUND ISLANDS. ALL SHORES ARE AT RISK NO MATTER WHICH DIRECTION THEY FACE. THE TROUGH OF A TSUNAMI WAVE MAY TEMPORARILY EXPOSE THE SEAFLOOR BUT THE AREA WILL QUICKLY FLOOD AGAIN. EXTREMELY STRONG AND UNUSUAL NEARSHORE CURRENTS CAN ACCOMPANY A TSUNAMI. DEBRIS PICKED UP AND CARRIED BY A TSUNAMI AMPLIFIES ITS DESTRUCTIVE POWER. SIMULTANEOUS HIGH TIDES OR HIGH SURF CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE TSUNAMI HAZARD.
THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS 1028 PM HST SAT 27 OCT 2012
2012-10-28 06:10 UTC
– The earthquake occurred 2 hours ago and various tsunami warnings and advisories are still in effect for the greater earthquake and coastal areas.
– At Langara (northern point of Haida Gwaii (epicenter island), a tsunami surge has been measured of 44 cm)
– At Hawaii the wave is estimated to arrive at 10:28 PM local time
– For those among you interested to look at live webcams, we have found a live broadcasting webcam from Hawaii – Click here to watch it. A surge of less than 1 meter will be hard to see in the dark. Some stirring water (shaking boats) are a possibility. We hear the Tsunami warning sirens howling at the webcam. Great initiative from this webcam owner to do the live streaming !
2012-10-28 05:55 UTC – Tsunami warning and advisory overview – Warning effective for British Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii
– Advisory (1 level less than warning) for some parts of Washington, Oregon and California (see below)
What to do : if you are living at coastal areas, move to higher ground
IMPORTANT UPDATE 2012-10-28 05:48 UTC
ALASKA Tsunami Center report nr. 6
THE ADVISORY HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN OREGON.
...THE TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL
AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE NORTH TIP OF
VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA TO CAPE DECISION
ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/...
...THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THE COASTAL
AREAS OF CALIFORNIA AND OREGON FROM GUALALA POINT
CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/ TO
DOUGLAS-LANE COUNTY LINE OREGON/10 MILES SW OF FLORENCE/...
...THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL
AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FROM THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH
COLUMBIA BORDER TO THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
BRITISH COLUMBIA...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
CALIFORNIA FROM THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO GUALALA
POINT CALIFORNIA/LOCATED 80 MILES NW OF SAN FRANCISCO/...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
OREGON AND WASHINGTON FROM DOUGLAS-LANE COUNTY LINE
OREGON/10 MILES SW OF FLORENCE/ TO THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH
COLUMBIA BORDER...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
ALASKA FROM CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF
SITKA/ TO ATTU ALASKA...
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED WHICH IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE DAMAGE
TO THE WARNING AND/OR ADVISORY REGIONS LISTED IN THE HEADLINE.
PEOPLE IN LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT TO
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS
ARE ONLY ORDERED BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES.
- IF IN A TSUNAMI WARNING COASTAL AREA MOVE INLAND TO
HIGHER GROUND.
- IF IN A TSUNAMI ADVISORY COASTAL AREA MOVE OUT OF
THE WATER... OFF THE BEACH AND OUT OF HARBORS AND MARINAS.
2012-10-28 05:40 UTC
– What occurred today is a typical subduction earthquake. the stress accumulates from the eastward moving Pacific plate subducting below the North American plate generates this kind of very powerful earthquakes.
2012-10-28 05:32 UTC Tsunami advisory (no warning) extended to the border area of Washington state
The most relevant parts of the Alaska Tsunami Center report nr. 5 (continental USA and Canada)
THE WARNING ZONES REMAIN THE SAME IN THIS MESSAGE.
AN ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE REST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA-
SOUTH OF THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.
...THE TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA TO CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/...
...A TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT WHICH INCLUDES THE
COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FROM THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH COLUMBIA BORDER TO THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
CALIFORNIA - OREGON AND WASHINGTON FROM THE
CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO THE WASHINGTON-BRITISH COLUMBIA
BORDER...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
ALASKA FROM CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF
SITKA/ TO ATTU ALASKA...
2012-10-28 05:24 UTC A TSUNAMI WARNING IS ISSUED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 0709 PM HST.
THIS UPGRADE IS DUE TO THE SEA LEVEL READINGS RECEIVED AND THE RESULTING CHANGE IN THE HAWAII TSUNAMI FORECAST.
2012-10-28 05:22 UTC
– Haida Gwaii (former Queen Charlotte Islands and epicenter of the earthquake) reports to Canadian Broadcasting that some homes have been damaged
2012-10-28 05:19 UTC
– More aftershocks are being reported. They however are less than M5, which is a good sign.
– The occurrence of a similar or even bigger earthquake than the mainshock cannot be excluded but happens very rarely.
– Earthquake-report.com does thank our many Alaska and British Colombia readers who have shared their experience with our site. Earthquake reporting can be only complete in the case of a interaction with those who felt the shaking
2012-10-28 05:07 UTC Alaska Tsunami center report nr. 5 – Tsunami alert is still in place THE WARNING ZONES REMAIN THE SAME IN THIS MESSAGE. AN ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE REST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA- SOUTH OF THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.
2012-10-28 05:02 UTC
Some relevant tweets our Carlos Robles has intercepted
– “We were just sitting down relaxing and all of a sudden — boom! I thought it was a major landslide,” said Martynuik. “The epicentre had to be right close to us because the power went out right away. The quake seemed to last forever.”
– Tsunami ….”apparently” Sandspit got a 8 ft rise .
– CBC LeishaGrebinski just spoke w/ Ted Renaud on Langara Isl. He said quake was strong, they just exp. a swell expect another one in 20 mins
2012-10-28 04:52 UTC
Report number 4 from the Alaska tsunami center :
THE TSUNAMI HAS BEEN RECORDED WITH SMALL AMPLITUDES IN SE ALASKA. FORECASTS INDICATE HEIGHTS IN S CENTRAL ALASKA BELOW 30CM. THE WARNING AREA REMAINS THE SAME.
2012-10-28 04:50 UTC
– The tsunami evacuation seems to work well at the moment. A lot of people (ut limited in number) have been called to evacuate for higher ground and did so in the meanwhile
– The epicenter of the 3 M5+ aftershocks is heading more to the coast. No aftershock of M6 or more so far
2012-10-28 04:46 UTC
– We repeat that the Tsunami alert is only called for portions of the British Columbia and Alaska coast. Hawaii and the greater Pacific basin have NO alert issued.
– Pacofi and Lockeport, Canada are the locations which may get tsunami waves of respectively 1.7 and 1.5 meter. Other locations are expected to get a max. of 0.3 m. (source info + graphic below : GDACS)
2012-10-28 04:40 UTC
As soon as the Tsunami alert is canceled, we will bring the news to our readers.
The tsunami alert will only affect a limited number of people. Tsunami level calculations are extremely difficult as the wave height can be different for every portion of the coast depending on the coastal floor.
2012-10-28 04:32 UTC
Some press reports are stating that the quake was not felt in Vancouver, which does not correspond with the reports we have received from our readers (see below).
2012-10-28 04:24 UTC
Based on the reports below, the shaking lasted 30 seconds to a minute, a normal shaking time for such a huge earthquake
2012-10-28 04:18 UTC
The Alaska tsunami center has just issued a third report which keeps the tsunami warning as it was mentioned before. These are the most important elements of this report :
A SMALL TSUNAMI HAS BEEN RECORDED ON A DEEP OCEAN PRESSURE SENSOR. THE WARNING REGION REMAINS THE SAME IN THIS BULLETIN.
...THE TSUNAMI WARNING CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL
AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE NORTH TIP OF
VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA TO CAPE DECISION
ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
CALIFORNIA - OREGON - WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA FROM
THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER
ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA...
...THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF
ALASKA FROM CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF
SITKA/ TO ATTU ALASKA...
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
PEOPLE IN LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT TO
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS
ARE ONLY ORDERED BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES.
- IF IN A TSUNAMI WARNING COASTAL AREA MOVE INLAND TO HIGHER
GROUND.
2012-10-28 04:13 UTC – Except for the Tsunami danger, the dangerous shaking impact will be limited to approx. 2000 people who will have sustained a MMI VII, very strong shaking experience.
– 18000 people will have felt a strong MMI VI shaking and another 186000 people a moderate shaking.
– Please find the experiences of people below this page
Shaking intensities (image courtesy USGS)
2012-10-28 04:00 UTC – About 2000 people are living within 100 km from the epicenter
– A considerable number of strong aftershocks have been striking the epicenter area
2012-10-28 03:53 UTC – People living in coastal areas along British Colombia and Alaska should better be going for higher ground. Tsunami calculations are far from perfect and a auto-safety move for higher ground is always preferable.
– The area is merely unpopulated and the closest populated settlements are quite far from the epicenter.
– Haida Gwaii is a National Park, but should be almost without visitors at this time of the year.
2012-10-28 03:45 UTC – Another agency, GDACS who is using data from USGS reports that : It is likely that a tsunami was generated. The maximum tsunami wave height near the coast of Lockeport will be 1.66m.
GDACS Tsunami expectation – max. tsunami height 1.66 m
2012-10-28 03:44 UTC – THE MAGNITUDE IS UPDATED TO 7.7. THE WARNING ZONE REMAINS THE SAME.
TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 1 NWS WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK 807 PM PDT SAT OCT 27 2012 …A TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT WHICH INCLUDES THE COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA TO CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/… …THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA – OREGON – WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA FROM THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO THE NORTH TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA… …THIS MESSAGE IS INFORMATION ONLY FOR COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM CAPE DECISION ALASKA/LOCATED 85 MILES SE OF SITKA/ TO ATTU ALASKA… RECOMMENDED ACTIONS PEOPLE IN LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS ARE ONLY ORDERED BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES. – IF IN A TSUNAMI WARNING COASTAL AREA MOVE INLAND TO HIGHER GROUND. PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS MAGNITUDE – 7.1 TIME – 1904 AKDT OCT 27 2012 2004 PDT OCT 27 2012 0304 UTC OCT 28 2012 LOCATION – 52.9 NORTH 131.9 WEST 25 MILES/40 KM S OF SANDSPIT BRITISH COLUMBIA 390 MILES/628 KM SE OF JUNEAU ALASKA DEPTH – 12 MILES/19 KM TSUNAMI WARNINGS MEAN THAT A TSUNAMI WITH SIGNIFICANT WIDESPREAD INUNDATION IS IMMINENT… EXPECTED OR OCURRING. WARNINGS INDICATE THAT WIDESPREAD DANGEROUS COASTAL FLOODING ACCOMPANIED BY POWERFUL CURRENTS IS POSSIBLE AND MAY CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL WAVE ARRIVAL. PACIFIC COASTAL REGIONS OUTSIDE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/ BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA SHOULD REFER TO THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER MESSAGES FOR INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT AT PTWC.WEATHER.GOV.
Last update: October 24, 2012 at 4:39 pm by By Ashish Khanal
Very strong earthquake in Costa Rica
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake at a depth of 35km (USGS) struck the same area where the M7.6 hit a month ago. The values given by USGS differs a lot from the ones that gives Ovsicori, the geological survey from Costa Rica, saying it was a magnitude 5.8 at a depth of 6km. We’ll wait to see if they change their values.
There are reports of fallen objects and broken windows in the zone of La Cruz, Guanacaste and Sámara but, luckily, there’s no heavy damage or injured people. Update- USGS lowered the magnitude from 6.6 to 6.5 but at a more dangerous depth of 20km.
Update- Some areas in San Ramon in Alajuela and Guanacaste were without electricity.
Earthquake overview : 5 minutes to midnight a strong shallow earthquake struck at close distance from King City, California. The earthquake was felt in a wide area.
Update 15:46 UTC : So far the area has been hit by 5 aftershoks ranging from M2.5 to M3.5
Update 15:30 UTC : Until now, good news, as we have heard nothing about damages or injuries.
Update : – The population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist.
– Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses
Update : The people living in King City and Greenfield are expected to have felt a moderate shaking or MMI V
29000 people will have felt a moderate shaking
194000 people a light MMI IV shaking
1.73 million people a weak to very weak shaking
Update : There are NO reports of damage
Update : The epicenter has been set at 26 km from King City, the closest significant community. The area is mainly a wilderness area.
Update : Epicenter below a wilderness area near State route 198. Closest community King City (based on preliminary data)
The earthquake occurred at 11:55 local time.
Shaking map courtesy USGS
A rather strong earthquake just occurred 60 km east of Monterey, California
Closest cities Soledad and Coalinga. In a broader view in between Monterey and Fresno, California
The preliminary Magnitude of M5.5 has been weakened to M5.1. Normally a M5.3 in California at a depth of 9.4 km may only lead to minor damage like fallen objects, cracks in walls, etc.
This is the strongest earthquake in many months in this part of California.
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : M5.3
UTC Time : 2012-10-21 06:55:09 UTC
Local time at epicenter : 2012-10-20 23:55:09 UTC-07:00 at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 9.4 km
Geo-location(s) :
26km (16mi) ENE of King City, California
34km (21mi) E of Greenfield, California
48km (30mi) WNW of Coalinga, California
A USGS map showing, in blue, where people reported feeling the Maine earthquake (on Oct. 16, 2012).
CREDIT: USGS
How unusual was the magnitude-4.0 earthquake that struck southern Maine yesterday (Oct. 16)?
U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Julie Dutton said it was larger than most but not too out of the ordinary for New England, where one or two minor earthquakes can be felt somewhere every year.
It’s unclear what exactly caused the quake, Dutton told OurAmazingPlanet. “To pinpoint which fault it was — we don’t have that information and we may never have that information,” she said. The area lacks the extensive network of seismometers present in more tectonically active areas. There are many faults in the area, and the fault that was active yesterday was probably small and may never be active again, Dutton said.
The East Coast is riddled with old faults, buried miles deep in the ancient crust of the North American plate, the tectonic plate that underlies the United States and Canada. But most of these fissures haven’t been active in a long time, and very few of them are well-studied or understood.
Stress naturally builds up within tectonic plates and is periodically released in earthquakes like this one, Dutton said.
As in other East Coast quakes, the vibrations Tuesday could be felt over a wide area – as far south as Long Island, N.Y., and as far north as southeastern Ontario, she said.
In North America, feeling shaking over such a larger area is unique to the East Coast. The crust of the eastern part of continent isn’t as fractured as elsewhere, which allows vibrations to travel long distances. That explains how last year’s 5.8-magnitude earthquake, centered in Virginia Aug. 23, was felt by nearly a third of the United States.
Last night’s temblor came from a rupture 4 miles (6 km) underground and struck at 7:12 p.m. local time (23:12 UTC), the USGS reported. The epicenter was about 21 miles west of Portland, Maine.
The earthquake shook houses in Boston and Connecticut, but it apparently did not cause any injuries or damage, according to news reports. “A magnitude-4 can knock stuff off shelves and that kind of thing, but isn’t likely to cause major structural damage,” Dutton said.
The last earthquake to cause moderate damage in New England was a magnitude-5.6 temblor in New Hampshire in 1940, she said. The largest earthquake in recorded history in New England struck New Hampshire in 1638 and had an estimated magnitude of 6.5, according to the USGS.
Last update: October 12, 2012 at 2:06 pm by By Ashish Khanal
–Very strong earthquake out of the South Coast of Papua A Very strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 struck 103km of Dobo, Indonesia at a depth of 25km. This earthquake, if preliminary reports are confirmed, should not be dangerous creating a max. shaking of IV (light shaking) for at least 206,000 people.
Tsunami statement from the PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center):
A DESTRUCTIVE WIDESPREAD TSUNAMI THREAT DOES NOT EXIST BASED ON
HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI DATA.
HOWEVER - THERE IS A VERY SMALL POSSIBILITY OF A LOCAL TSUNAMI
THAT COULD AFFECT COASTS LOCATED USUALLY NO MORE THAN A HUNDRED
KILOMETERS FROM THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER.
from: http://earthquake-report.com/2012/10/11/major-earthquakes-list-october-12-2012/
Last update: September 30, 2012 at 11:49 am by By Ashish Khanal
Earthquake in Irving, Texas
The epicenter was only 3 km from Irving, Texas. The extremely shallow depth of 5 km resulted in a very strong experience, even with a relatively weak Magnitude. A max. MMI of IV has been reported by the USGS (light shaking).
The earthquake happened at 23:05 local time.
The reason of the earthquake will have to be researched by seismologists. Texas had multiple small to moderate earthquakes the last couple of years. Today’s earthquake is one of the weaker ones.
Some people even felt the shaking in Ennis, which is relatively far away from the epicenter.
We can confirm that the epicenter is below Irving as most on the people online in this site are coming from Irving.
The mainshock was followed by a lower intensity aftershock about 5 minutes later.
We appreciate the many I Have Felt It reports from people who have felt the shaking.
Earthquake-Report.com does not expect any serious damage or injuries from this earthquake, however small cracks in walls and falling objects will certainly have happened here and there. Update 04:54 UTC : Aftershocks can be expected as the earth layers are looking for a balance. These aftershocks are rarely bigger than than the first shock. The night may be disturbed by such events. They will normally only be felt very close to the epicenter, in this case Irving. Update 05:05 UTC : Luckily and as expected, we could not detect any damage so far Update 05:21 UTC : USGS listed the epicenter at 32.847°N, 96.956°W.. That’s just southwest of Las Colinas Country Club near North McArthur Blvd. and West Rochelle Road. It was southeast of DFW International Airport. However, this has to be taken with a serious error margin. Seismology is a very complex science and in this case the horizontal error margin was set at 11.7 km and the vertical one at 3.1 km. The exact epicenter will only be located later on. Update 05:34 UTC : We will have to wait until tomorrow morning before a final assessment has taken place. Hopefully all of you will have an undisturbed sleep. Update 11:42 UTC : 6 hours after our latest update, we can now confirm that local authorities did not receive any report of damage or injuries. In addition to what we have told so far, we also mention that the greater area has been hit by a number of similar quakes since 2008.
