Current Earthquake Activity USGS

4.0+ Earthquakes Worldwide in the Last 30 Days

An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time. Earthquakes are measured with a seismometer; a device which also records is known as a seismograph. The moment magnitude (or the related and mostly obsolete Richter magnitude) of an earthquake is conventionally reported, with magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas. Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale.

At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacing the ground. When a large earthquake epicenter is located offshore, the seabed sometimes suffers sufficient displacement to cause a tsunami. The shaking in earthquakes can also trigger landslides and occasionally volcanic activity.

In its most generic sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event - whether a natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans - that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes are caused mostly by rupture of geological faults, but also by volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear tests. An earthquake's point of initial rupture is called its focus or hypocenter. The term epicenter refers to the point at ground level directly above the hypocenter.

Earthquake  Wikipedia

In Norse mythology, earthquakes were explained as the violent struggling of the god Loki. When Loki, god of mischief and strife, murdered Baldr, god of beauty and light, he was punished by being bound in a cave with a poisonous serpent placed above his head dripping venom. Loki's wife Sigyn stood by him with a bowl to catch the poison, but whenever she had to empty the bowl the poison would drip on Loki's face, forcing him to jerk his head away and thrash against his bonds, causing the earth to tremble.

In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the cause and god of earthquakes. When he was in a bad mood, he would strike the ground with a trident, causing this and other calamities. He also used earthquakes to punish and inflict fear upon people as revenge.

In Japanese mythology, Namazu is a giant catfish who causes earthquakes. Namazu lives in the mud beneath the earth, and is guarded by the god Kashima who restrains the fish with a stone. When Kashima lets his guard fall, Namazu thrashes about, causing violent earthquakes.

In the 2009 film "2012", solar flares (geologically implausibly) affecting the Earth's core caused massive destabilization of the Earth's crust layers. This created destruction planet-wide with earthquakes and tsunamis, foreseen by the Mayan culture and myth surrounding the last year noted in the Mesoamerican calendar - 2012.

December 16, 2011 - The number of earthquakes in populated areas has accelerated exponentially in recent years with increased magnitude and depth beneath the planet. Shifting tectonic plates can no longer be dismissed, as geological evidence shows that the planet is undergoing geophysical changes that cannot be stopped nor reversed. Seismic zones everywhere are becoming active and with that the threat of tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Anything, anywhere can happen. Some conclude that this is all part of the natural evolution of the planet. Many believe it has to do with end time prophecies and shifting consciousness back to light.

Japan Quake Lifted Seabed 16 Stories - Largest Recorded   National Geographic - December 1, 2011
Japan's devastating March 11 earthquake shifted the seabed by as much as 165 feet (50 meters) - the largest slip yet recorded, a new study says. That's considerably larger than in previous reports, which in May put the shift at 79 feet (24 meters).

Oregon: New massive fault line found on Mount Hood   MSNBC - August 30, 2011
Geologists think Mount Hood is sitting on shaky ground. The Oregonian first reported that scientists have discovered a previously undetected - and active - fault zone on the mountain. Scientists said the faults could also prove dangerous. The fault zone stretches about 20 miles from the northern flank of Mount Hood to the Columbia River. Hidden by trees and dense vegetation, it had gone unnoticed. Oregon state scientists discovered the fault line using aircraft equipped with LIDAR - a high-tech laser scanning mapping system. Oregon State Department of Geology Chief Scientist Ian Mayden helped map out the faults and believes they likely make up one massive fault that at one point in history ruptured, causing the earth to break apart some six feet.

7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off Alaska   MSNBC - September 2, 2011
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Friday in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, prompting a brief tsunami warning for a portion of Alaska's coast. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake struck in the waters at about 6:55 a.m. ET. There were no reports of injuries or damage, according to Alaska's KTUU.com.

New Hidden Quake Fault Found in California   Live Science - June 16, 2011
Scientists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were inspecting the Martis Creek Dam, which sits just outside Truckee, Calif., and about 35 miles upstream from Reno. It is one of 10 dams in the United States that has Òurgent and compellingÓ safety concerns, according to the Corps, which owns the dam. Data from the most recent evaluation revealed that, not only does the dam have significant leakage, it also lies in close proximity to not two, but three fault zones.

Scientists find odd twist in slow 'earthquakes': Tremor running backwards   PhysOrg - May 23, 2011
Earthquake scientists trying to unravel the mysteries of an unfelt, weeks-long seismic phenomenon called episodic tremor and slip have discovered a strange twist. The tremor can suddenly reverse direction and travel back through areas of the fault that it had ruptured in preceding days, and do so 20 to 40 times faster than the original fault rupture.

2011 Sendai Earthquake and Tsunami

Scientists find increase in microearthquakes after Chilean quake   PhysOrg - February 25, 2011
By studying seismographs from the earthquake that hit Chile last February, earth scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found a statistically significant increase of micro-earthquakes in central California in the first few hours after the main shock. The observation provides an additional support that seismic waves from distant earthquakes could also trigger seismic events on the other side of the earth. The results may be found online in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Idaho scientists find new seismic fault in Rockies   Reuters - November 19, 2010
Scientists at Idaho State University have mapped a previously unknown and active seismic fault in the northern Rockies capable of unleashing an earthquake with a magnitude as high as 7.5. The newly discovered fault in central Idaho does not lie in a densely populated area. But Glenn Thackray, chairman of the university's geosciences department, said the 40-mile-long fracture in the Earth's crust at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains near the tiny mountain town of Stanley is cause for some concern.

Indonesia's Explosive Geology Explained   Live Science - October 26, 2010
Indonesia is a dangerous country to call home. Precariously located above the grinding and mashing of several tectonic plates, and ringed by a chain of fire-breathing volcanoes, the country's islands are located in one of the most volatile regions in the world. The eruption of a volcano and the shaking of a tsunami-generating earthquake this week is just one reminder of Indonesia's fiery foundation.

Big quakes more frequent than thought on San Andreas fault   PhysOrg - August 21, 2010
Earthquakes have rocked the powerful San Andreas fault that splits California far more often than previously thought, according to UC Irvine and Arizona State University researchers who have charted temblors there stretching back 700 years.
L.A. 'Big One' could come sooner than expected: study   AP - August 21, 2010
Strong earthquakes along the San Andreas fault in southern California are more frequent than previously thought, so the dreaded "Big One" could be just around the corner, US researchers said in a study.

Earthquake Moved California City 31 Inches   Live Science - June 24, 2010
Quake physically moved Calexico 2.5 feet south   MSNBC - June 24, 2010

Odds 1-in-3 for Northwest Mega-Quake Within 50 Years   Live Science - May 24, 2010

April 4, 2010 Baja California 7.2 earthquake   Wikipedia
Scientists Share Latest Mexico Earthquake Data   PhysOrg - May 26, 2010
In April 2010, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Northern Baja California, Mexico.

Thousands of Quakes Strike Glaciers Every Day   Live Science - April 3, 2010

Toads can 'predict earthquakes' and seismic activity   BBC - March 31, 2010

Quake Moved Chilean City 10 Feet   Live Science - March 9, 2010

Researchers show how far South American cities moved in quake   PhysOrg - March 8, 2010

A Disastrous Year: 2010 Death Toll Already Abnormally High   Live Science - March 11, 2010

Why the Chile Earthquake Aftershock Was So Big   Live Science - March 11, 2010

Chile Earthquake Altered Earth Axis, Shortened Day   National Geographic - March 2, 2010
Chilean Quake May Have Shortened Earth Days   NASA - March 2, 2010

February 26, 2010 Chile Earthquake   Wikipedia

February 25, 2010 Japan earthquake   Wikipedia

  Istanbul: A Megacity Girds for a Major Quake   New York Times - February 25, 2010

Disaster Awaits Cities in Earthquake Zones   New York Times - February 25, 2010

Earthquake Threat Lurks For United States, Too   Live Science - January 15, 2010

7.0 Earthquake in Haiti Wikipedia - January 12, 2010

Haiti quake: The worst of places for a big tremor   BBC

6.5 earthquake in Northern California Wikipdeia - January 9, 2010

Earthquake concerns shake energy projects   MSNBC - December 17, 2009
One geothermal system caused magnitude 3.4 quake in Switzerland.

Tremors Between Slip Events: More Evidence of Great Quake Danger to Seattle   Science Daily - December 16, 2009

Little California tsunami risk from British Columbia 6.6 earthquake   LA Times - November 18, 2009

Study: Megaquake looms over Seattle   MSNBC - October 28, 2009

Researchers say fault goes deeper than thought and heads toward city

Earthquakes actually aftershocks of 19th century quakes   PhysOrg - November 4, 2009

The major 2004 earthquake in Sumatra may have weakened the San Andreas fault   BBC - October 1, 2009

September 2009 Sumatra earthquake  Wikipedia

2009 Samoa Earthquake  Wikipedia

Seismic boom: Breaking the quake barrier   New Scientist - August 4, 2009

Massive quake moves New Zealand closer to Australia   AFP - July 22, 2009

6.3 Italy earthquake Wikipedia

Arkansas: New Fault Could Cause "Major Disaster"   National Geographic - January 23, 2009
Arkansas: New fault could lead to magnitude 7 earthquake with epicenter near major natural gas pipeline   PhysOrg - January 22, 2009
New Fault Raises Threat of Eastern Earthquakes   Live Science - January 22, 2009

Quake Swarm Hits Yellowstone; Something Bigger to Come?   National Geographic - December 30, 2008

Deadly San Andreas Fault Longer Than Thought National Geographic - July 31, 2008

China May 2008
2008 Sichuan earthquake Wikipedia

Did Pandas Sensed China Quake Coming? National Geographic - May 16, 2008
China Quake Delivered Seismic One-Two Punch National Geographic - May 16, 2008
The fault line that caused this week's devastating earthquake in China probably buckled in two stages.
China Quake a 'Worst-Case Scenario' for California Live Science - May 13, 2008
China: An Earthquake in the Wrong Place ABC - May 13, 2008
Smart cables help bridges bounce back after quakes New Scientist - May 12, 2008

Mysterious "Swarm" of Quakes Strikes Oregon Waters National Geographic - April 16, 2008

April 18, 2008 Illinois 5.2 earthquake Wikipedia
Tremors were felt as far west as Nebraska and Kansas City, as far south as Atlanta, as far east as Kitchener, Ontario and West Virginia, and as far north as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The earthquake epicenter was located in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, which is adjacent to the more famous New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Swarm of earthquakes detected off Oregon Live Science - April 12, 2008
There have been more than 600 quakes over the past 10 days in a basin 150 miles southwest of Newport. The biggest was magnitude 5.4, and two others were more than magnitude 5.0, OSU reported.

How The Eruption of Thera Changed the World Live Science - February 26, 2008
Santorini ~ Thera ~ Atlantis Wikipedia

Biggest earthquake in UK for nearly 25 BBC - February 27, 2008

Indonesia Fault Line Quakes Nearly 20 Times This Month National Geographic - February 26, 2008

Supercomputer Unleashes Virtual 9.0 Megaquake in Pacific Northwest PhysOrg - February 26, 2008

Sumatra Earthquakes and Tsunami Wikipedia - September 12, 2007

8.0 earthquake in Peru Wikipedia - August 16, 2007

Mexico: In Surprise, Major Earthquake Fault Slips Backward Live Science - August 2, 2007
A vast chunk of Earth sliding under Mexico has surprisingly reversed direction.

New Madrid: Source of Major Earthquakes Discovered Beneath U.S. Midsection Live Science - May 2, 2007

Mystery tremors bring new twist to quake prediction Guardian - March 15, 2007

Old Earthquake Faults are Like Worn Brake Pads Live Science - March 13, 2007

Rare 6.0 Earthquake Shakes Gulf of Mexico on Sunday National Geographic - September 12, 2006
...strongest earthquake to hit the Gulf of Mexico in 33 years

Rain compounds Java quake misery after 6.3 Quake in Indonesia BBC - May 29, 2006

In pictures: Quake aftermath BBC - May 29, 2006

San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 - 100 Years Later ...

Photo Gallery: San Francisco Quake - Then and Now National Geographic
San Francisco's 1906 Quake: What If It Struck Today? National Geographic
Wild and Wacky Tales from the 1906 Quake Live Science
The Great 1906 Earthquake, 100 years later USGS - April 18, 2006
San Francisco faces big shaker BBC - April 18, 2006
1906 San Francisco Earthquake Wikipedia

Earthquake Fault Under Tokyo Closer Than Expected National Geographic - July 15, 2005

Sumatra Earthquake Three Times Larger Than Originally Thought Science Daily - February 2005
Making it the second largest quake ever measured with instruments.
Also see related articles on Tsunami - December 26, 2004

Are Earthquakes Encouraged by High Tides? National Geographic - October 2004

Earthquakes can be predicted months in advance Science Daily - January 2004

Medium To Large Quakes Peak Every Three Years On Central San Andreas Fault Science Daily - January 2004

Can Animals Sense Earthquakes? National Geographic - November 2003

GPS Technology Aids Earthquake Research November 2002 - Science Daily

Getting inside an earthquake BBC - July 2002