Several Major Earthquakes Strike Asia Pacific, Could Signal More

Earthquakes above a magnitude of 6.0 have struck around Asia Pacific in quick succession over the past week, which could be warning signs of more major earthquakes on the horizon.

AsianScientist (Apr. 19, 2016) – A series of major earthquakes have struck the Asia Pacific Region, all within the last week, raising questions of whether they could be forecasting even more powerful quakes.

Last Thursday, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook up Kumamoto on the southwestern island of Kyushu in Japan. Barely two days later, another greater earthquake, registering 7.3 on the magnitude scale and considered to be the main tremor, struck the same area early on Saturday morning. The combined death toll stands at 43, with thousands more injured and around 100,000 having to be evacuated.

These two earthquakes are considered to be part of a series of earthquakes caused by two plates slipping against each other along an active inland fault.

Across the Pacific, on Saturday night local time, Ecuador suffered a major 7.8-magnitude earthquake which wreaked havoc and destruction along the Pacific Coast. The biggest quake the country has seen in decades, at least 410 people were reported killed and more than 2,000 injured.

While the Japan and Ecuador quakes are not linked, it is nevertheless a fact that both countries lie within the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped string of volcanoes and sites of seismic activity along the edges of the Pacific Ocean, according to the National Geographic Society.

Roughly 90 percent of all earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, which also comprises 75 percent of all active volcanoes on Earth. Credit: United States Geological Survey
Roughly 90 percent of all earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, which also comprises 75 percent of all active volcanoes on Earth. Credit: United States Geological Survey

Elsewhere, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Sagaing region in Myanmar, 400 km northwest of the capital Naypyidaw, last Wednesday. Tremors were felt all around, including neighboring Bangladesh, India and China.

That same day, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the West Java province in Indonesia, which is also within the Ring of Fire. The effects were felt in urban centers Jakarta and Bandung, but fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties.

While some experts believe it may be too early to tell whether the earthquakes are related, Roger Bilham, seismologist at the University of Colorado, was quoted as saying, “The current conditions might trigger at least four earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude. And if they delay, the strain accumulated during the centuries provokes more catastrophic mega earthquakes.”



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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Daisuke TSUDA/Flickr/CC.
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Coming from a design background, Filzah brings a fresh perspective to science communications. She is particularly interested in healthcare and technology.

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