Very strong dangerous earthquake in Kazakhstan – Very strong shaking expected near the epicenter
Last update: January 29, 2013 at 12:38 am by By Armand Vervaeck
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 6.1 (preliminary)
Local time at epicenter : local time 22:38:55
Depth (Hypocenter) : 22 km
Geo-location(s) :
227 km E Almaty (pop 1,204,762 ; local time 22:38:55.2 2013-01-28)
185 km NW Aksu (pop 340,020 ; local time 00:38:55.2 2013-01-29)
101 km E Tyup (pop 13,437 ; local time 22:38:55.2 2013-01-28)
44 km SW Koshkar (pop 311 ; local time 22:38:55.2 2013-01-28)
Update 17:04 UTC : USGS reports M6.0 at a depth of 10.6 km
All reporting seismological agencies are reporting a very shallow and thus very dangerous earthquake. M6.0 is a potentially deadly earthquake in this area of the world.
Update 17:02 UTC : The earthquake occurred in the triangle of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China (Xinjiang). We do fear that this earthquake will be damaging to some extend.
It is now dark in the area and we fear that electricity will be down. No electricity means a lot of uncertainty to reach the epicenter area and to do some rescue works.
The area is sparsely populated.
Update 16:58 UTC : EMSC has update their records to M6.1 at a depth of 10 km, less but still VERY DANGEROUS
Update 16:51 UTC : EMSC reports a Magnitude of 6.5 at a depth of 2 km. Various data which will become better the following minutes.
Update : The first notice reaching us is a preliminary Magnitude of 6.1 at a depth of 22 km = Very dangerous
Update : based on the many visitors from Kazakhstan, we think a major earthquake occurred there.
for more information and updates, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2013/01/28/very-strong-earthquake-in-kazakhstan/
(ps: if you can, please donate to earthquake report. They do an amazing job.)
At least four faults within the Indo-Australian plate ruptured simultaneously in April 2012, resulting in two magnitude-8 earthquakes within two hours. (Red stars indicate the epicentres.)
Keith Koper, University of Utah Seismograph Stations
Geological stresses rending the Indo-Australian plate apart are likely to have caused the magnitude-8.6 and magnitude-8.2 quakes, which broke along numerous faults and unleashed aftershocks for 6 days afterwards, according to three papers published online today in Nature1–3.
Seismologists have suspected since the 1980s4 that the Indo-Australian plate may be breaking up. But the 11 April earthquakes represent “the most spectacular example” of that process in action, says Matthias Delescluse, a geophysicist at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris and lead author of the first paper1. Worldwide, “it’s the clearest example of newly formed plate boundaries,” he says.
According to prevailing theories of plate tectonics, the Indo-Australian plate began to deform internally about 10 million years ago. As the plate moved northwards, the region near India crunched against the Eurasian plate, thrusting the Himalayas up and slowing India down. Most scientists think that the Australian portion forged ahead, creating twisting tensions that are splitting the plate apart in the Indian Ocean.
Delescluse and his team inferred the presence of these seismic stresses by modelling stress changes from shortly before the 2012 earthquakes. They found that two earlier earthquakes along the eastern plate boundary — the magnitude-9.1 tremor in 2004 that unleashed a massive tsunami across the Indian Ocean, and another quake in 2005 — probably triggered the 2012 event by adding to pent-up stresses in the plate’s middle region.
Gregory Beroza, a seismologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, says that the model is a likely explanation. “The 2004 and 2005 earthquakes by themselves would not have caused this other earthquake. There had to be other stresses,” he says.
Slip-sliding away
Most large earthquakes occur when two plates collide at their boundaries, and one plate slides beneath the other. By contrast, when plates or portions of plates slip horizontally along a fault line, this usually results in smaller, ‘strike-slip’ earthquakes.
However, the first 11 April event defied expectations as the largest strike-slip earthquake on record, and one of the strongest to occur away from any conventional plate boundaries.
In the second study2, researchers found that the accumulated stresses spread over the plate’s interior broke free in the first 11 April event, resulting in one of the most complex fault patterns ever observed. Unlike most earthquakes that shake along a single fault, this one ruptured along four faults, one of which slipped as much as 20–30 metres.
“This earthquake, it was a ‘gee whiz’,” says study author Thorne Lay, a seismologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Previous work had already identified multiple strike-slip faults for the magnitude-8.6 earthquake5, but no other study had analysed the slip amounts in such detail. Beroza says that Lay and his team “do a splendid job of picking apart this very important earthquake” in their paper.
Lasting impressions
Although much attention has focused on how the earthquakes played out, some researchers are also studying the after-effects of the giant tremor. In a third study3, scientists found that for six days following the event, earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 and greater occurred at almost five times their normal rate all around the world.
“Aftershocks are usually restricted to the immediate vicinity of a main shock,” says lead author Fred Pollitz, a geophysicist at the US Geological Survey in Menlo Park, California. He says that the 11 April example should challenge conventional definitions of how soon and how close aftershocks can occur to large earthquakes.
“Every earthquake is important to study, but this earthquake is rather unique,” says Hiroo Kanamori, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. With so many unusual characteristics to examine, the 11 April earthquake sequence may continue for some time to expand researchers’ ideas of how earthquakes can occur.
Last 14 days of 5.0M and greater showing the area around the Indo-Australia plate breaking apart:
This explains the West Pacific “unrest” that I’ve been showing in all the earthquake updates for the past year+.
The “spillover” effect is occurring at volcanoes, and adjacent plates to the Indo-Australian plate.. causing an uptick in large earthquakes (compensation for the indo-australian plate demise) around the entire planet… specifically the Pacific ring of fire.
All this activity has lead to the North American Craton, Laurentia, to be ‘moved’ from the WEST.. causing pressure to build upon the N. American craton.. thus, we are seeing activity at ANY spot with deep shaft construction — whether it be dormant volcanoes, fracking/injection well/drilling operations, and even some springs/aquifers ! Not to mention areas having major ‘movement’ problems .. like Bayou Corne, Louisiana — salt dome sinkhole collapse.
It all begins to make sense once you understand OUR plate (north american craton laurentia) is being displaced by the Pacific plate… which itself is being displaced by the Indo-Australian plate breaking apart.
To confirm most of these North American sites are indeed what I say they are… Just look up the coordinates of each greater than 2.5M earthquake in North America via http://earth.google.com to confirm .
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 5.7 (CENC), 5.6 (CENC)
UTC Time : 03:19:42 UTC, Friday, 7th September, 2012.
Local time at epicenter : 11:19:42, Friday, 7th September, 2012.
Depth (Hypocenter) : 10km, 10km
Geo-location(s) : 1km (1mi) SW of Jiaokui, China
39km (24mi) NE of Zhaotong, China
84km (52mi) NNW of Weining, China
120km (75mi) SW of Xunchang, China
Update 14:08 UTC
– It is horrifying for us to add always more and more fatalities in our updates. Now from 63 to 64, another family devastated by losing someone.
– The Yunnan earthquake is currently the 4th deadliest earthquake of 2012
Image courtesy and copyright ChinaNews – Click on this picture to watch more images from ChinaNews
Image courtesy and copyright zhgpl.com
Update 13:05 UTC
– The death toll has, as could be expected, further increased to 63
– 715 people are injured in various degrees
– China Prime Minister Hu Jintao gave personally high priority instructions to do whatever necessary to help the people in the disaster area
– 15 county towns have been damaged in various degrees
– It is currently dark in China and the power has not been restored in all affected areas yet
– 3961 rooms are destroyed
– 13876 rooms damaged
– 3455 livestock pens destroyed
– 11633 livestock pens damaged
Update 10:59 UTC
– A reporter who was inspecting the area saw huge landslides on both sides of the valley.
– Roads are being blocked by huge rocks.
– A boulder measuring 36 meter was blocking the river, creating a small lake
– The houses of 30 families living near a zinc mine have all been damaged
– aftershocks are following each other very fast. More landslides and rockfall is being triggered by the many aftershocks
– rescue workers have still problems to reach some areas as roads are blocked
Update 10:47 UTC
– Most of the fatalities (49 of the 50) have been reported from Yilang county
– The local seismological bureau has given 4 reasons why the death toll is higher in Yilang county
a) very high population density (205 people per sq/km vs 117 in the rest of Yunnan)
b) poorly constructed houses because of poor families and almost no industrial activity (no earthquake resistant building)
c) mountains and slopes which can trigger easily secondary effects like landslides
d) the double strong earthquakes impact. The second earthquake was shallower and closer to densely populated areas
– Experts from CEA (National Earthquake Authority) will arrive soon at the scene to help with the local authorities. National experts are only sent in after major earthquake events.
– High Voltage Power supply facilities have been severely damaged
Update 10:31 UTC
– China TV now reports that 50 people have lost their life in a double moderate earthquake, making this earthquake one of the most deadly this year. Assessment is currently done by the Chinese authorities
– Darkness will set in in a couple of hours making rescue work even more dangerous. Rescuers still have to cope with aftershocks of M3 to M4.
Image courtesy yunnan.cn
Update 09:20 UTC
– This is the unfolding report of the Yunnan earthquake China, no more updates since our 08:31 UTC report
– More information can come in at any minute
– If you want to know more about this earthquake, please keep this page open and refresh it at regular times as we will continue following up this cruel earthquake the following hours
– Earthquake-Report.com is following up both official information (national and regional seismological bureaus and rescue departments, civil defense authorities as well as Chinese news media)
Update 08:31 UTC
– The death toll of the double M5.6 / M5.7 earthquake has further climbed to 43 (42 in Yiliang County, 1 in Zhaoyang District).
– 700,000 people have been affected by this cruel earthquake
– 100,000 people have been relocated
– Major fires are currently going on in the damaged areas (can be seen on the latest video below)
Update 08:10 UTC
The Yunnan Provincial Civil Affairs department has just released an update :
– 24 dead, 150 injured.
– 100000 people evacuated/relocated
– 20000+ households with damage
– ER expects that the Economic loss estimate is coming out to $220-390 million based on the current parameters. (still waiting on a damage-based estimate).
Image courtesy CCTV
Update 07:48 UTC
– Apart from the mainshocks, a lot of aftershocks are hitting the area
– The current rainy weather is making the soil very unstable, thus triggering a lot of minor and major landslides
– The Chinese CEA authority has send a 10-man supervisory team to the area. These National teams are only flying in in major disaster cases.
Update 07:40 UTC
– Reports are also talking about severely injured people which means that the death toll will probably climb further
– The news of serious landslides also means that remotely located villages may have been hit by landslides too. Priority is mostly given to the bigger cities.
– Greatly seen in the world as small tremors proof once more to become a deadly cocktail in China. Earthquakes cannot be pinned into a Magnitude / Dangerous relation. Much more has to be accounted for.
Important update 07:33 UTC
– Various Chinese media are now reporting a death toll of at least 20 people. (has to be confirmed by the Yunnan Earthquake Bureau)
UPDATE 07:24 UTC: – Power has been lost in some areas as transmission poles were knocked down by landslides
– Rail traffic has been halted in the region
– 6,000 tents, 6,000 quilts and 6,000 coats are distributed to the population
UPDATE 06:47 UTC: – Death toll has reached 7.
– In addition, 20000 households have damage of some form.
UPDATE:
– At least 6 are dead according to new reports. The M5.7 earthquake had a 14km depth, and was 15km from Yiliang county and 30 kilometers from Zhaotong City. Damage is expected in both locations.
– The earthquake was felt as far as Chengdu, hundreds of km from the epicenter
Zhaotong Prefecture is home to 5.74 million people but has a reasonably low GDP of around CNY39 billion per year (6.2 billion USD). It is mainly agricultural in nature. The exposed capital stock according to CATDAT in terms of net capital infrastructure is around 14.2 billion USD, of which around 2.1 billion USD is in the most affected areas including Yiliang County. Hence we are looking at a damage bill in at least the 100s of millions of USD if directly impacted. The rural net capita income is about CNY2900 (around 500USD).
UPDATE:- At least 20,000 rooms (around 6,000 houses) are destroyed at first estimates, with 6000 tents being sent to the region and many other disaster supplies.
Epicenter right by the city.
UPDATE:- The dual quakes hit about 57 minutes apart, both of around M5.6, with much panic.
We are still waiting on damage reports but know that much damage has occurred. More than 150 people from disaster services have rushed to the scene.
Over 6.7 million people live within 100km of this quake. Yiliang county itself has around 500,000 inhabitants and is extremely mountainous having differences of 520m above sea level to 2800m within the county.
Yiliang
51 minutes after the event, 39 people were sent to the area from the Seismological Bureau.
According to Yunnan Yiliang radio and television reporter sent to CCTV’s news, a 5.6 earthquake occurred in Yunnan Yiliang, some houses have collapsed and landslides hindered transportation.
for more information and updates, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2012/09/07/deaths-and-destruction-in-m5-6-shallow-quake-in-china/
Last update: September 5, 2012 at 3:08 pm by By Ashish Khanal
Massive earthquake in Coasta Rica A M7.8 earthquake just occurred below the coastal area of Costa Rica
Based on the current parameters this earthquake can be called EXTREMELY DANGEROUS for everybody living in a radius of 40 km around the epicenter.
Earthquake data coming in are varying from very strong (M6.4) up to massive (M7.9)
Same goes for the depth of the earthquake, from 20 km (extremely dangerous) to 40 km (still dangerous at the max. magnitude).
We will have to wait until recalculated numbers are coming in.
The earthquake occurred on top of the North American plate which is subdected by an oceanic plate. Powerful earthquakes in the area are mostly very deep and less dangerous.
Update 15:35UTC :
– Some pictures are showing “liquefaction” which occurs often when strong shaking takes place in sandy soil. Liquefaction occurs in saturated soils, that is, soils in which the space between individual particles is completely filled with water. This water exerts a pressure on the soil particles that influences how tightly the particles themselves are pressed together. Prior to an earthquake, the water pressure is relatively low. However, earthquake shaking can cause the water pressure to increase to the point where the soil particles can readily move with respect to each other. Liquefaction can also be compared to quicksand. Most major earthquakes have cases of liquefaction
– For American standards, this earthquake was really damaging. No collapsed houses of course, but during the 2 years of our existence, this is only the third major damaging incident (after Virginia and Oklahoma)
– Besides some structural damage to houses and mobile homes, a lot of damage has also occurred in the interiors of the houses. The many earthquakes (more than 300) have led to many minutes of shaking (sometimes strong the very strong) and make that everything may have been ok after the first set of earthquakes but tumbled because of the many aftershocks.
– 49 patients of the Pioneer’s Memorial Hospital have been transferred throughout the area
– In addition to the Brawley Fire department, 16 other Fire corpses have given a helping hand in Brawley.
– In 1940 a M6.9 earthquake struck the Brawley area, the most important so far and contradicting yesterdays remark of a seismologist than quakes are normally not higher than +5. To the positive side one can say that the area has released his stress and that more severe quakes are unlikely to happen (although nobody is sure about that)
– Seismologists as well as the local authorities are asking people to react the best possible way on eventual new strong shaking. The main advise (which can also be found at the right side on thios page) is : Do not try to run out of buildings while shaking is occurring because you never know what is falling off the roof. Heavy shaking also means that you can be knocked down while running away. Please wait until the shaking stops before running outside.
At earthquake-report.com we continuously see that 50 to 70% is not following this advise (even in Japan). As a sad reminder we can tell you that almost all of the Lorka Spain fatalities (7) were due to falling debris while running outside!
Update 09:25UTC :
– Aftershocks are still striking the Brawley area but a lot less than yesterday afternoon. A M3.4 is the strongest one since more than 5 hours. Although many may not sleep too well, at least the shaking will not be responsible tonight. It is currently 02:25 AM in Brawley, California.
– The following schools will be closed on Monday due to the events : Del Rio Community School, Mulberry Elementary, Brawley Union High School, Barbara Worth Junior High School, Phil D. Swing Elementary School, Miguel Hidalgo Elementary School and J.W. Oakley Elementary School
– Up to 400 people are able to spend the night in a “emergency shelter” organized by the Red Cross
– A total of 21 mobile homes have been declared uninhabitable. A lot of houses have reported minor damage. Many trailers have been pushed of their foundations
– NO serious injuries have been reported (source : Brawley city manager)
– Click here for the Local station KSWT NEWS 13 Video page
Update 06:04UTC :
Our partner EQArchives has just finished an interactive map showing the epicenters of a big part of the swarm. Click on the image to go to the interactive map where you can zoom in and out.
Update 04:53 UTC :
– New M5.1 aftershock a few minutes ago. There has been some minor damage to old houses indicating around a intensity V-VI from the earthquakes.
– Brawley Seismic Zone is well known for such sequences as stated before in 2005, 1981, 1970s, 1930s etc. so it should be expected that some more aftershocks / swarm earthquakes can occur in the coming hours and days.
Update 00:32 UTC :
– New M4.7 aftershock, one more of an impressive number of aftershocks
– Some trailers are simply being knocked off from their foundations
– The number of earthquakes recorded in the Imperial area must run into the hundreds (including the less than M2.5 earthquakes)
Click on the image for the normal size
Update 22:17 UTC :
– Minor damage is being reported in Brawley. No houses have collapsed and we do not expect to find such damage, however some structural damage has been reported in a number of buildings. Click on the Thumbnail to watch the image in the local Imperial Valley Press
Update 22:06 UTC
– Power has been restored in some Brawley areas but not yet everywhere.
– The earthquakes were also registered on the seismographs in Los Angeles. ABC7 network has a live Quake cam on the Internet. Click here to watch it Live
Update 21:46 UTC
– The last comparable seismic swarm in Brawley dates from 1970. Another one occurred in the 1930′s
– Some buildings in Brawley were evacuated after the first stronger quakes. People will probably stay outside for a while which is good in case other even stronger quakes would strike.
– The Brawley zone is a complex seismic area of smaller faults. The San Andreas main Fault runs from near Palm Springs to enter Mexico just west of Yuma.
The video below shows the strong shaking in Brawley, California. A family is enjoying sitting together in the living room when suddenly the shaking starts (after 25 seconds)
Update 21:38 UTC
– Damage assessments are currently being executed in the Brawley area.
– Imperial County has begun operating a “County Emergency Headquarters”
– Brawley has a population of 24,953 (latest census), not a small village. The town has a significant cattle and feed industry, and hosts the annual Cattle Call Rodeo. Year-round agriculture is an important economic activity in Brawley.
– Brawley has also a Geothermal power plan
for more information and updates, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2012/08/26/powerful-earthquake-swarm-in-southern-california-mexico-border/
Update 00:32 UTC :
– New M4.7 aftershock, one more of an impressive number of aftershocks
– Some trailers are simply being knocked off from their foundations
– The number of earthquakes recorded in the Imperial area must run into the hundreds (including the less than M2.5 earthquakes)
Click on the image for the normal size
Update 22:17 UTC :
– Minor damage is being reported in Brawley. No houses have collapsed and we do not expect to find such damage, however some structural damage has been reported in a number of buildings. Click on the Thumbnail to watch the image in the local Imperial Valley Press
Update 22:06 UTC
– Power has been restored in some Brawley areas but not yet everywhere.
– The earthquakes were also registered on the seismographs in Los Angeles. ABC7 network has a live Quake cam on the Internet. Click here to watch it Live
Update 21:46 UTC
– The last comparable seismic swarm in Brawley dates from 1970. Another one occurred in the 1930′s
– Some buildings in Brawley were evacuated after the first stronger quakes. People will probably stay outside for a while which is good in case other even stronger quakes would strike.
– The Brawley zone is a complex seismic area of smaller faults. The San Andreas main Fault runs from near Palm Springs to enter Mexico just west of Yuma.
The video below shows the strong shaking in Brawley, California. A family is enjoying sitting together in the living room when suddenly the shaking starts (after 25 seconds)
Update 21:38 UTC
– Damage assessments are currently being executed in the Brawley area.
– Imperial County has begun operating a “County Emergency Headquarters”
– Brawley has a population of 24,953 (latest census), not a small village. The town has a significant cattle and feed industry, and hosts the annual Cattle Call Rodeo. Year-round agriculture is an important economic activity in Brawley.
– Brawley has also a Geothermal power plan
Update 21:26 UTC
– Based on the reports we receive from our readers, the shaking seems to have lasted only a few seconds. Short shaking is seldom damaging. The longer the shaking is lasting the more chance on damages.
– 17 aftershocks in between M2.5 and M4.3 in only 26 minutes
Shaking map of the latest M5.4 earthquake at 21:57 UTC
Update 21:16 UTC
– The last strong earthquake has currently been labeled M5.4 at a shallow depth of 8.9 km. Epicenter 5 km North of Brawley
– Intensities of MMI IV to VI are reported in the epicenter area
Update 21:10 UTC
– There are scattered power outages in the Brawley area and out at Naval Air Facility El Centro, said Marion Champion, spokeswoman for the Imperial Irrigation District. More than 1,000 customers were out of power temporarily. Crews are out checking for damage.
– Pioneers Memorial Hospital has been evacuated, and patient have been moved to the wound care center. Though there has not been reports of major damage at the hospital, patients had asked to be evacuated because they were scared. Glass had been broken inside the hospital.
(messages courtesy Imperial Valley press)
Important Update 21:03 UTC A new strong M5.4 earthquake (preliminary value) had happened a few minutes ago
– The National Weather Service reports a preliminary Magnitude of M5.6!
– Epicenter a few km NNW of Brawley
Update 23:42 UTC :
– New M4.7 aftershock, one more of an impressive number of aftershocks
– Some trailers are simply being knocked off from their foundations
Click on the image for the normal size
Update 22:17 UTC :
– Minor damage is being reported in Brawley. No houses have collapsed and we do not expect to find such damage, however some structural damage has been reported in a number of buildings. Click on the Thumbnail to watch the image in the local Imperial Valley Press
Update 22:06 UTC
– Power has been restored in some Brawley areas but not yet everywhere.
– The earthquakes were also registered on the seismographs in Los Angeles. ABC7 network has a live Quake cam on the Internet. Click here to watch it Live
Update 21:46 UTC
– The last comparable seismic swarm in Brawley dates from 1970. Another one occurred in the 1930′s
– Some buildings in Brawley were evacuated after the first stronger quakes. People will probably stay outside for a while which is good in case other even stronger quakes would strike.
– The Brawley zone is a complex seismic area of smaller faults. The San Andreas main Fault runs from near Palm Springs to enter Mexico just west of Yuma.
Update 21:38 UTC
– Damage assessments are currently being executed in the Brawley area.
– Imperial County has begun operating a “County Emergency Headquarters”
– Brawley has a population of 24,953 (latest census), not a small village. The town has a significant cattle and feed industry, and hosts the annual Cattle Call Rodeo. Year-round agriculture is an important economic activity in Brawley.
– Brawley has also a Geothermal power plan
Update 21:26 UTC
– Based on the reports we receive from our readers, the shaking seems to have lasted only a few seconds. Short shaking is seldom damaging. The longer the shaking is lasting the more chance on damages.
– 17 aftershocks in between M2.5 and M4.3 in only 26 minutes
Shaking map of the latest M5.4 earthquake at 21:57 UTC
Update 21:16 UTC
– The last strong earthquake has currently been labeled M5.4 at a shallow depth of 8.9 km. Epicenter 5 km North of Brawley
– Intensities of MMI IV to VI are reported in the epicenter area
Update 21:10 UTC
– There are scattered power outages in the Brawley area and out at Naval Air Facility El Centro, said Marion Champion, spokeswoman for the Imperial Irrigation District. More than 1,000 customers were out of power temporarily. Crews are out checking for damage.
– Pioneers Memorial Hospital has been evacuated, and patient have been moved to the wound care center. Though there has not been reports of major damage at the hospital, patients had asked to be evacuated because they were scared. Glass had been broken inside the hospital.
(messages courtesy Imperial Valley press)
Important Update 21:03 UTC A new strong M5.4 earthquake (preliminary value) had happened a few minutes ago
– The National Weather Service reports a preliminary Magnitude of M5.6!
– Epicenter a few km NNW of Brawley
Update 20:53 UTC :
– Residents in the San Diego area reported feeling the quake in places including downtown San Diego, Mission Valley, Santee and Chula Vista.
– Authorities in San Diego reported NO damage or injuries
– The Brawley seismic zone is very well known by seismologists for earthquake swarms. More M3 to M5 earthquakes can be expected, but it is unlikely that stronger earthquakes will appear. Of course stronger are possible but based on historic facts would be very abnormal.
Update 20:40 UTC :
– As you can see on the picture below, Brawley is a farming community with a patchwork of farming grounds. This kind of area can be very vulnerable for earthquake waves.
– SSN, the Mexican seismological agency has reported a M5.7 for the strongest quake (vs 5.3 USGS) and M5.2 vs M4.9 for the second quake.
Update 20:36 UTC :
USGS has updated the calculation of the intensity and reports now that 28000 people will probably have experienced a strong shaking (MMI VI).
Update 20:27 UTC :
– Not less than 19 earthquakes did struck in Southern California before the first M4.6 earthquake. It all started at 15:33 UTC
– When the first powerful M4.6 earthquake happened, this quake was followed by 7 earthquakes in only 13 minutes. The last 2 of this range measured M5.3 and M4.9
– Since the mainshock and in less than an hour, the area was struck by 22 aftershocks ranging from 2.5 until 4.3. This is only the total of M2.5 or greater as the real number will be far higher.
Update 20:19 UTC : The area is really rattled by aftershocks, most of them in the M3.0 to M3.9 range
– The earthquakes was felt as a very weak shaking as far as the Greater Los Angeles area in the North and as far as Ensenada to the south.
– Our Mexican correspondent reports that in Mexicali live has returned to normal and no damage has been reported or noticed.
– The strongest reported shaking so far was MMI V (moderate shaking), si after all this earthquake looks to be luckily harmless.
Update 19:59 UTC : The list of strongest quakes has been reduced by USGS to the following quakes : 4.6, 4.7, 5.3, 4.9, 4.5. Most of these quakes were very well felt in a north-south range Brawley to Mexicali.
The area is very well known by people following earthquakes and is a little north from the epicenter of the massive earthquake from a couple of years ago.
– The hospital in Mexicali has been partly evacuated and personnel is inspecting the building for eventual damage.
– Theoretical calculations from USGS are stating that 19000 people will have experienced a MMI VI strong shaking.
– The epicenter of the strongest shock is just north-west of Brawley
– The area has a lot of fault zones
Shaking map courtesy USGS
Update : Up to now, the strongest earthquakes had values of 4.6, 4.7, 5.3, 5.3, 5.3; 4.5 – thats really a lot of earthquakes in a short time. USGS has a hard time to follow the many strong earthquakes as they have to be monitored by seismologists
Update : The hospital in Mexicali is currently being evacuated
Since 15:33 UTC this afternoon a big number of earthquakes started in Southern California
The most powerful ones (4 in total) started at 19:20 UTC
The epicenter of these earthquakes are south of the Salton Sea and a north of Calexico / Mexicali.
We will start up an in-depth article soon as this earthquake needs more attention than a normal one
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : M5.3 + many more
UTC Time : Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 19:32:59 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 12:32:59 PM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 4.6 km
Geo-location(s) :
9 km (5 miles) E (83°) from Brawley, CA
17 km (10 miles) SSE (158°) from Calipatria, CA
Update : USGS is confirming the Magnitude of M5.0 however at a less dangerous deeper depth of 38.3 km.
Based on the number of visitors in our site, we see a moderate earthquake in Nepal.
Please tell us by the form how the shaking was experienced.
Based on our preliminary findings, we expect a Magnitude in between M4.5 and M5.0
Preliminary epicenter is located in the western part of the Nepali Himalaya (West of Annapurna)
If people residing in Pokhara are reading this page, please let us know how the shaking was experienced.
A M5.1 is a moderate shaking but can create in the high mountains some serious avalanches/landslides of rock, snow, ice or even mud.
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : M5.0 (USGS) – M5.1 (EMSC)
UTC Time : Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 16:30:23 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 10:15:23 PM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 38 km (USGS) – 10 km (EMSC)
Geo-location(s) (USGS data):
101 km (63 miles) SSE (149°) from Jumla, Nepal
117 km (72 miles) ENE (64°) from Nepalganj, Nepal
128 km (80 miles) WNW (284°) from Pokhara, Nepal
272 km (169 miles) WNW (290°) from KATHMANDU, Nepal
Update 24/08 – 08:09 UTC : International seismological agencies are listing a huge number of earthquakes worldwide but unfortunately not enough to have a good picture of what is going on in the world. Developing nations press are often citing USGS as a certainty in the world of earthquakes and are that way diminishing the value of their own specialist agencies. Nepal is a good example. The Nepal National seismological Center has a fine network of seismographs, GPS stations and accelerometers. Data captures close to the epicenter is (mostly) more accurate than data captured at a greater distance. From the 4 earthquakes reported by the NSC, only 2 were reported by EMSC and USGS. The Magnitude differs so much in between local and international agencies (M5.6 vs M5.0 yesterday and M5.2 vs M4.4 earlier today for the 2 strongest shakes). Difference in scales cannot give this big difference in Magnitude Mb vs Ml.
Update 24/08 – 07:14 UTC : The Nepal National Seismological Center has updated the earthquake data and reports now a M4.4 as the new value for the initial M4.7. The M5.6 mainshock stands.
8 hours later an M4.4 occurred (00:17 UTC) and at 03:55 UTC the sequence was followed by another M5.2 earthquake, all in the same area.
The Nepalese press gives little attention to the earthquake and states only that there are no reports of damage or injuries. If the Nepalese data are correct, we do not trust this general remark. Both the M5.6 and M5.2 are relatively strong earthquakes in mountainous areas and both M4.4 can be seen as moderate. We will follow this up and bring you further news if it reaches us.
We also make a request to our Nepali readers to report any news which they may find in the local or regional press.
Official earthquake data – courtesy Nepal National Seismological Center
Update 20:53 UTC : After a sluggish start, the monsoon’s active phase, observed in the last 24 hours, brought brief heavy downpours in most of the Western and Central regions of the country. This is bad news for earthquake shaking
Update 20:44 UTC : Today’s earthquake is not the first one in the area this year, as 3 earthquakes measuring M5.0, M4.8 and M4.2 occurred on July 31. No news of eventual damage or injuries was found for these earthquakes.
Update 20:42 UTC : The nearthquake was felt in many districts in Nepal like Kathmandu, Gorkha, Chitwan, Kaski, Dailekh, Parbat, Tanahun, and Syangja.
Update 18:35 UTC : Musikot, the village on the picture below is very close to the epicenter. The image is not taking away our fears.
Very Important Update 18:13 UTC : The Nepal National Seismological Center reports that not 1 but 2 earthquakes have rattled the mid-western Nepal area. The first one being a M5.6 earthquake at 10:15 PM local time (16:15 UTC) and a second M4.7 one at 10:27 PM (16:27 UTC) !!
Rukum Musikot courtesy Tubal Sapkota –
Update : EMSC has now changed the location of the epicenter after recalculation. The village of Thawang (Rolpa area) – see image below), should be very close to the epicenter following these data. The Geofon location has not been recalculated (automatic data) and remains at the moment in the high Himalaya.
Update : Based on the landslide risk, earthquake-report.com calls this earthquake as moderately dangerous
Update 17:29 UTC : Earthquake data is very preliminary at the moment. The USGS data are less dangerous than the EMSC or the Geofon data due to the depth of 38 km. EMSC and Geofon are holding to their 10 km (the shallower and earthquake is, the more dangerous it becomes).
Update : Earthquake-Report.com fears for a deadly cocktail of moderate shaking in combination with saturated ground layers of the monsoon rains. Lets hope that eventual landslides are not in or near villages. People will mostly be in the village or sleeping at the time of the occurrence.
Update 17:24 UTC : Very weak shaking is normal in Kathmandu as the Nepali capital is 270 km away from the epicenter.
Thawang village following some agencies near the epicenter – Image courtesy PranjalDahal
Update : As it is dark right now and as the epicenter area is very remote we do not expect to receive any detailed news for another 24 hours unless mobile telecommunications are active in the Dolpo villages.
Update : The best known area in this part of Nepal, where following some agencies the epicenter would be is the Dolpo area? The most famous 8000+ mountain in the area is the Dhaulagiri. Dhaulagiri is a regular target for expeditions. As it is late monsoon at the moment, mountaineering will be at lowest. Distance from Dhaulagiri to the epicenter is approx. 20 km
Update : This earthquake has not been listed yet in the website of the Nepal National Seismological center, who should have definitely the best data as their instruments are installed the closest to the epicenter
Update : The epicenter location is still unsure as every seismological agency is referring to a different area which is in case of Nepal very tricky. USGS is putting the epicenter in the foothills. Geofon at the base of the high Himalaya and EMSC in the high Himalaya.
El Hierro Volcano : Green pre-alert – A new earthquake swarm has started below El Hierro – 40 earthquakes until 13:47 UTC
Last update: August 16, 2012 at 4:32 pm by By Armand Vervaeck
Update 16/08 – 16:25 UTC
– 3 more earthquakes from M0.9 to M1.1 at a depth of 11 to 12 km (12:25 to 13:47 UTC)
– Maybe IGN could take a few courses in press reporting at GNS Science New Zealand. If an important new swarm starts, like the one today (even with weak earthquakes), an experienced volcanologist may write 5 sentences in explaining what the opinion of the organization is. Why does a body like Pevolca is to be used for volcanology ? If i would live in Sabinosa, i would love to hear a few words if continuous quakes are occurring below my house.
Update 16/08 – 13:37 UTC
– 5 more earthquakes in between M0.6 and M1.2 and at depths in between 10 and 11 km
Image courtesy Avcan
Update 16/08 – 11:53 UTC
– We have to continue bringing updates on the seismicity below the island. 4 more earthquakes bringing the total on 32 today. Magnitudes from M1.0 until M1.5. Depths 10-11 km. IGN has updated his list up to 08:30 UTC
– At right a small map with the epicenters of a number of the latest earthquakes.
Update 16/08 – 09:50 UTC
– 1 earthquake has to be added since our latest update (07:29 – 11 km depth – Magnitude M 1.5)
– For your comfort, we have cut 2/3ths of this article. Parts 49 and 50 (yes 50!) have been archived. Links to all those 50 parts can be found at the bottom of this page.
The latest 10 earthquake epicenters – image ourtesy Avcan
Very important Update 16/08 – 08:19 UTC – A new earthquake swarm has started below El Hierro
– For the 3th day in a row the number of earthquakes are fundamentally increasing below El Hierro. Although not official, we think that speaking of a new earthquake swarm is the only right way of describing the current set of earthquakes.
– No less than 26 earthquakes occurred this morning (from midnight UTC until 07:00 AM)
– The majority of the earthquakes are still weak, but the M2.2 from early this morning was the strongest in a while and the Magnitude pattern tends to become stronger every couple of hours.
– The CHIE seismogram is not showing a lot of action, but the M2.2 can well be seen. CHIE is not the best station at the moment to show the seismic events at his best.
– The depth is continuing around the 10 to 12 km which is a complete difference from the July swarm, but still far away from an eruption. More seismicity at lesser depths is needed to create a pre-eruptive condition. Newt to seismicity, we have also the gas analysis, the deformation, etc who will have to confirm if the present swarm will end in an eruption. The magma pressure should be powerful enough to find his way up.
– We do not know how many University of Nagoya GPS stations are still working, but we know for sure that FRON station still works and shows a vertical increase of many mm, which sounds normal after the present set of increasing earthquakes in the area.
– A reason for concern at this time should be the location of the seismicity (El Golfo Bay and Sabinosa area – including the cliffs south of Sabinosa). Landslides and rockfall may become dangerous at Magnitudes from M4 and up.
for more information, history, and updates, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2011/09/25/el-hierro-canary-islands-spain-volcanic-risk-alert-increased-to-yellow/
The epicenter of these earthquakes are south of the Salton Sea and a north of Calexico / Mexicali.
