An article published by Capital Public Radio last Wednesday, August 19, 2015 outlined a geological phenomenon currently occurring in Northwestern Nevada. SInce last July, just over a year ago, there have been over 5700 earthquakes with 21 of those being 4.0 magnitude or greater all very tightly clustered under an antelope reserve far from heavily populated areas. This may seem to lower the interest level of the occurrence, but it makes it an excellent specimen to sample and learn about earthquake swarms. This area contains nearly no volcanic activity and no nearby fracking, which indicates that the earthquakes are naturally occurring from the shifting of tectonic plates. Earthquake swarms are not too uncommon around the earth, and often massive earthquakes are preceeded by similar swarms. This swarm only stands out due to its sheer volume. In the past |
month, the area has been averaging around one magnitude 3 or greater quake per day. These quakes do no damage and are mostly unfelt by any humans, but they sure must startle the antelopes.
As was stated earlier, however, this occurrence could give valuable insight into the behavior of natural earthquake swarms. With a secluded area like this, the effects of the quakes are tiny, but the observations and study of earthquake behavior could help predict the behavior of swarms when they occur under a developed area. Generally, these swarms end one of two ways: they either culminate in a large earthquake and die out, or increase in volume then slowly decrease in volume until the swarm ends with a large earthquake never occurring. With current knowledge, it is impossible to tell if a big earthquake will occur, but knowledge gained from this swarm may allow us to better predict the behavior of future scenarios.
Original Capital Public Radio Article (link)
As was stated earlier, however, this occurrence could give valuable insight into the behavior of natural earthquake swarms. With a secluded area like this, the effects of the quakes are tiny, but the observations and study of earthquake behavior could help predict the behavior of swarms when they occur under a developed area. Generally, these swarms end one of two ways: they either culminate in a large earthquake and die out, or increase in volume then slowly decrease in volume until the swarm ends with a large earthquake never occurring. With current knowledge, it is impossible to tell if a big earthquake will occur, but knowledge gained from this swarm may allow us to better predict the behavior of future scenarios.
Original Capital Public Radio Article (link)