Major Earthquake Activity Report: What You Need to Know
Seismic Updates from Japan and Beyond This past week saw a decline in the number of recorded felt earthquakes across Japan compared to the previous week. Notably, only one earthquake…
An earthquake is a natural geological phenomenon characterized by the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, resulting in seismic waves. This release of energy typically occurs due to the movement of tectonic plates along faults, which are fractures in the Earth’s surface. Earthquakes can vary in magnitude and intensity, ranging from minor tremors that are barely detectable to major quakes that can cause significant destruction and loss of life. The point within the Earth where the earthquake originates is known as the focus or hypocenter, while the point directly above it on the surface is called the epicenter. Earthquakes can also generate aftershocks, which are smaller quakes that follow the main event. They can have various effects, including ground shaking, surface rupture, and secondary hazards like tsunamis and landslides. Earthquakes are measured using seismographs, and their magnitude is often expressed using the Richter scale or moment magnitude scale (Mw).
Seismic Updates from Japan and Beyond This past week saw a decline in the number of recorded felt earthquakes across Japan compared to the previous week. Notably, only one earthquake…