According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year. That includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 40-50 years, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes about a dozen times.
The year with the largest total was 2010, with 23 major earthquakes (greater than or equal to magnitude 7.0). In other years the total was well below the annual long-term average of 16 major earthquakes. 1989 only had 6 major earthquakes and 1988 only had 7.
Today, 6 of February, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake hit southeastern Turkey and parts of Syria in the early hours of the morning. At least 5,000 people are known to have lost their lives, with thousands more injured. The quake was followed by a magnitude-7.5 event some 9 hours later, as well as more than 200 aftershocks.
At the same time as this devastating earthquake has happened in the area, another 75 earthquakes over 5.0 on the Richter scale have occurred around the world. All are caused by the slipping of tectonic plates. An average quakes per year are normally 22 per day!
Can you predict earthquakes?
No, scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake. We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future. Scientists can only calculate the probability that a significant earthquake will occur (shown on our hazard mapping) in a specific area within a certain number of years.
Electromagnetic variations have been observed after earthquakes, but despite decades of work, there is no convincing evidence of electromagnetic precursors to earthquakes. It is worth acknowledging that geophysicists would actually love to demonstrate the reality of such precursors, especially if they could be used for reliably predicting earthquakes!
Does the latest information regarding the changing speed of the Earth’s inner core have anything to do with the increase in earthquakes?
Scientists say that there is no connection, but the news is still young and therefore it is not yet known how it should be treated. Logistics and science mostly do not go together, therefore it is up to you to judge what is credible.
In previous articles, I have written about theories regarding the Earth’s magnetic poles and the possible impact of solar storms on climate change on our Earth, Tellus. It should be emphasized that I have no scientific university education, but many of my opinions over the past 50 years have been shown to be later confirmed by science.
https://windmush.com/2023/01/11/earths-north-magnetic-pole-is-on-the-move/ https://windmush.com/2022/02/18/follow-up-on- solar storms/
Thank you for reading my blog,
Windmush/Curt
windmush.curt@gmail.com
