Earthquakes

Was just thinking today that it seems that these are becoming more frequent as far as magnitude is concerned. Hopefully just a coincidence. Pretty concerning.
 
Darkhorsez said:
Was just thinking today that it seems that these are becoming more frequent as far as magnitude is concerned. Hopefully just a coincidence. Pretty concerning.
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It’s just coincidence. Stress builds over time and eventually releases through slipping, however because there are so many factors involved it is almost impossible to predict when an earthquake is going to happen, even when it has an identifiable pattern of stress build up and release. Typically the more frequently earthquakes happen, the less likely a truly devastating earthquake will occur. However, the release of stress on one part of a fault may also increase stress on another, further hence why prediction is so difficult.
 
That'sHernandez said:
It’s just coincidence. Stress builds over time and eventually releases through slipping, however because there are so many factors involved it is almost impossible to predict when an earthquake is going to happen, even when it has an identifiable pattern of stress build up and release. Typically the more frequently earthquakes happen, the less likely a truly devastating earthquake will occur. However, the release of stress on one part of a fault may also increase stress on another, further hence why prediction is so difficult.
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Ok that’s good to know
 
On holiday in Southern Spain. Last night we were just about to nod off to sleep before the whole hotel started shaking for a few seconds. First ever experience of an Earthquake. It was only 5.2 but still incredibly scary.
 
Pirlo'sBeard said:
On holiday in Southern Spain. Last night we were just about to nod off to sleep before the whole hotel started shaking for a few seconds. First ever experience of an Earthquake. It was only 5.2 but still incredibly scary.
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Another important factor is the depth of the quake. Ones that are deep below the surface cause less damage. The ones we had here in central Italy 10 years ago caused a lot of damage, because they were shallow.

We are still repairing that earthquake damage in our little village. We get small tremors here every week, sometimes you feel them for a second, other times not. No doubt they'll be another big one before too long.
 
I get to use my 30 year old geography degree!
There are different types of earthquakes.
But as a general statement. The longer you haven’t had one the worse the next one will be.
The San Andreas fault is a strike/slip fault meaning that two plates are moving in opposite directions: I.e. one side is going north at 2 cm per year and the other is going south at a similar pace.
They stick together for decades or hundreds of years until the pressure becomes too much and then they correct themselves. If it’s only been 20 years since the last one it probably won’t be too bad but if it’s been 200 years then the pressure is likely immense and it will be bad and because the tectonic plates aren’t too far below the surface it will be shallow
Just googled and Italy it’s because two plates are pushing directly against one another which usually isn’t so destructive
 
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