Earthquakes

News about earthquakes. The stronger events are edited manually by the author, but a part of the quakes are automatically detected and posted by the usgs.

Ethiopia: Another Earthquake Near Awash on 16.10.24

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Earthquake Mb 4.6 Shakes Volcano Region Near Awash in Ethiopia – Ground Uplift Detected

On the evening of October 16, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred in the Awash region of Ethiopia near the Fentale volcano, and it was also felt in Addis Ababa. With a depth of about 10 kilometers, the earthquake may have been shallower, as the seismological monitoring in the region is imprecise. For weeks, numerous smaller tremors have been damaging infrastructure such as railways and buildings.

InSAR data shows a possible ground uplift of up to 30 centimeters, indicating magma intrusion close to Fentale volcano. Previous studies have shown that rhyolitic magma intrusions have occurred here before, which is unusual in this basalt-rich region. These intrusions were accompanied by strong earthquake swarms, similar to what is happening now. However, it is possible that the InSAR image reflects other effects, such as a high water level on the Awash River.

The Fentale volcano, dominated by a 5-kilometer-wide caldera, is both effusive and explosive, unlike most other volcanoes in the region. The tectonic activity is driven by the divergent boundary between the Somali Microplate and the African Plate. A phreatic eruption occurred last week in a thermal area near the volcano. It is possible that a volcanic eruption may follow.

Strong earthquake swarm on the Icelandic Reykjanes Peninsula

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In the past few days, there has been a significant earthquake swarm on the Icelandic Reykjanes Peninsula. More than 7,500 tremors were recorded. The strongest earthquake had a magnitude of 4.9. These earthquakes were concentrated in an area northwest of the Thorbjorn volcano, specifically beneath the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. A rapidly progressing ground uplift of 3 cm has now been observed, which is caused by a magma accumulation underground. The ground has also risen in the Fagradalsfjall volcano area. Scientists from the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) anticipate a new eruption. The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) alert status has been raised to “Yellow.”

The strongest earthquake of the uplifting phase has shaken Campi Flegrei

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Date: 27.09.23 | Time: 03:35:34 UTC | Location: 40.8170; 14.1560 | Depth: 2.9 km | Magnitude: 4.2

Tonight a moderate earthquake of magnitude 4.2 occurred beneath the southern Italian Caldera volcano Campi Flegrei. It was the strongest earthquake of the current uplift period, which began in 2005. The hypocenter was at a depth of 2900 m. The epicenter was located on the coast in the area of Via Napoli between the towns of Pozzuoli and Bagnoli. The Solfatara is approximately 1300 meters northwest of the epicenter. The earthquake occurred at 03:35:34 UTC (05:35:34 local time) and is likely to have awakened some residents from their sleep. There have been no reports of damage so far, although despite the moderate magnitude, some houses may have developed cracks, as the earthquake’s hypocenter was shallow.

Strong Earthquake Mw 6.9 Causes Casualties in Morocco

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Date 09/08/23 | Time: 22:11:00 UTC | 31.074; -8.477 | Depth: 10 km | Mw 6.9

A strong earthquake with a moment magnitude of 6.9 occurred last night near Agadir and Marrakesh. The earthquake occurred at 22:11:00 UTC. The quake caused significant destruction and has resulted in 632 fatalities and 329 injuries so far. The exact depth of the hypocenter varied depending on the source: EMSC reported a depth of 10 km, GFZ Potsdam measured 27 km, and USGS determined nearly 19 km. EMSC located the epicenter 60 km west-southwest of Oukaïmedene, in a remote region of the Atlas Mountains. There were severe damages, particularly in the mountain villages near the epicenter, where numerous buildings have completely collapsed. The search for victims is still ongoing, and in many areas, there have been power outages and communication disruptions. There is speculation that landslides may have occurred, and some communities could be isolated from the outside world.

Earthquake Mb 3.8 near Solfatara triggers swarm of earthquakes

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Date 09/07/23 | Time: 17:45:28 UTC | 40.83; 14.147 | Depth: 2.5 km | Mb 3.8

Yesterday, there was an earthquake in the Campi Flegrei Caldera with a magnitude of 3.8. The earthquake’s epicenter was at a depth of 2.5 km. The earthquake occurred near the northeastern crater rim of Solfatara, close to the thermal area of Piscarelli, and triggered an aftershock sequence with 30 subsequent earthquakes. These aftershocks mostly had low magnitudes in the microseismic range.

The main earthquake was felt in Pozzuoli and parts of Naples. EMSC received reports from people located 16 km away from the epicenter who felt the tremor. For those living closer, the earthquake was strong and frightening, but there are no reports of damage.

Moderate earthquake shakes Greek island Crete

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Date: 08/13/23 | Time: 07:49:32 UTC | Coordinates: 35.247 ; 23.878 | Depth: 10 km | Magnitude: 4.6

The Greek holiday island of Crete was shaken by a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 this morning. The hypocenter was located at a depth of 10 km by the EMSC. This depth is often provided when it is certain that the earthquake occurred in shallow areas of the Earth’s crust, but the exact depth has not (yet) been determined. The epicenter was a few kilometers from the southwest coast and was located 18 km east-northeast of Palaióchora. The island’s capital, Heraklion, is 115 km away from the epicenter. Aftershocks can be expected.

Earthquake M 5.2 in Turkey

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Date: 10th August 2023 | Time: 17:48:00 UTC | Location: 38.267 ; 38.265 | Depth: 11 km | Magnitude: 5.2

Once again, an earthquake occurred along the East Anatolian Fault in southeastern Turkey. The moderate earthquake reached a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale and had its hypocenter at a depth of 11 km. The epicenter was located about 10 km south-southwest of the town of Malatya. Local media report at least 23 injured individuals. The earthquake took place at 17:48:00 UTC, affecting a region that had already been severely impacted by the strong earthquake near Gaziantep. The infrastructure of Malatya had already been heavily damaged, which is why the recent moderate earthquake caused further harm and led to the injuries.

Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Shakes Southwest Turkey

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Date: 6th February 2023 | Time: 01:17:32 UTC | Location: 37.23 N ; 37.02 E | Depth: 10 km | Magnitude: 7.8

A very powerful earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.8 struck the southwest of Turkey. The hypocenter was at a depth of 10 km. The epicenter was located 26 km east-northeast of Nurdağı. The town is home to 12,800 people. The major city of Gaziantep, with over 1 million residents, is only 37 km away from the epicenter. There have been significant damages and numerous fatalities and injuries. Images show that houses along entire streets have collapsed. The main earthquake occurred during the night, waking many people who couldn’t manage to leave their homes in time. The earthquake happened at 04:17:32 local time or 01:17:32 UTC.

According to media reports, a small tsunami occurred in the Mediterranean, even though the epicenter wasn’t located on the coast but further inland.

The earthquake occurred in the border region with Syria. The well-known city of Aleppo, which was largely destroyed during the Syrian war, is also within the affected area of the earthquake. Preliminary figures indicate that at least 280 people have lost their lives in Turkey. In Syria, over 300 deaths have been confirmed so far. Additionally, there are hundreds of injuries. The casualty numbers will continue to rise, as search and rescue operations are still in their early stages.

Update: According to the latest counts, the earthquake has caused more than 57,000 casualties in Turkey and Syria combined. Enormous property damage has also occurred.

New Zealand: Earthquake Mw 5,4 under Taupo

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Date: 30.11.22 | Time: 10:47:59 UTC | 38.84 S ; 175.91 E | Depth: 9 km | Mw 5.4

Yesterday there was an earthquake of moment magnitude 5.4 (Ml 5.6) under the Taupo caldera in New Zealand. GeoNet published more information about it today. The earthquake manifested at 10:47:59 UCT. In New Zealand, it was 11:47 p.m., which is night-sleeping time. So also the residents of the caldera were startled out of their sleep when they were shaken hard. But it didn’t stop at one shaker, as there was minor damage as items fell off shelves and some roof pieces came crashing down from a store. There were more than 180 aftershocks, 30 of which could be felt. The strongest aftershock brought it to M 4.5.

The main earthquake was the strongest since an M 5.0 earthquake in 2019, and an increase in seismicity has been observed under Lake Taupo since May 2022. Volcanologists believe the series of earthquakes is caused by activity related to magma and hydrothermal fluids inside the volcano. This activity could continue with varying speed and intensity in the coming weeks or months.

Alaska: Earthquake Mw 8.2

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Date: 29.07.2021 | Time: 06:15:50 UTC | Location: 55.60 N ; 157.97 W | Depth: 40 km | Mw 8.2

A strong earthquake with magnitude 8.2 occurred off the coast of the Aleutian Islands. The earthquake focus was located at a depth of 40 km. The epicenter was located 162 km east-northeast of Sand Point. It was the strongest earthquake in a long time and despite the depth of the hypocenter, there could be tsunami danger. So far there have been 3 strong aftershocks. The strongest had magnitude 6.3. The data are from the EMSC and could still be corrected.