Latest news with #BerkeleySeismologyLab
India Today
21-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Twin quakes shake Iran amid Israel conflict. Is there link to nuclear activities?
Iran has been hit by two back-to-back earthquakes even as tension between the Islamic nation and Israel remains at its peak. An earthquake of 5.1 magnitude struck northern Iran on Friday at 9.19 pm local time. This happened only five days after a 2.5 magnitude quake was reported near Fordo after Israeli quake happened approximately 36 km southwest of Semnan at a depth of 10 km, with tremors felt in Tehran and other nearby regions. The timing of these quakes and recent satellite imagery showing damage at Iran's nuclear sites in Natanz and Fordo amid Israel's fierce attacks, have fuelled speculation regarding a potential AND ITS SEISMOLOGIC HISTORYIran is highly active seismically due to its position on the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt, and thus, experiences frequent earthquakes, with over 2,000 annually, including 15 to 16 of magnitude 5.0 or higher. A long-term analysis of a decade between 2006 and 2015, showed 96,000 earthquakes were recorded in the country during the period. The ongoing conflict with Israel, which started on June 13, involves Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, including sites such as Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo, alongside Tehran's missile retaliations. The quake's shallow depth of 10 km and proximity to Semnan's space and missile complex sparked speculation, but seismic data suggests it was a natural ON NATURAL, NUCLEAR-INDUCTED QUAKES Nuclear activities, particularly underground nuclear explosions, can induce earthquakes by releasing tectonic stress near the blast. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), such explosions can trigger seismic events, but these are typically much smaller in magnitude than the explosion itself and are limited to a range of a few tens of kilometres from the blast site. The quakes are generally less intense and have fewer aftershocks than natural can distinguish these events by analysing wave patterns, with nuclear explosions producing mainly P-waves. Natural earthquakes generate both P and S-waves. Also, the seismic waves generated by nuclear explosions differ from those of natural Berkeley Seismology Lab explains that nuclear test seismograms are dominated by compressional P-waves, while natural earthquakes generate strong shear S-waves as well. This distinction allows seismologists to differentiate between the two, using methods such as moment tensor solutions, as described by the National Geographic, which trace waves back to their origin to identify the mechanism of the earthquakes with a 2.5-magnitude event near Fordo on June 15, coincided with military actions, but expert analysis, including those from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), confirmed they align with natural QUAKE THEORY IN INDO-PAK CONFLICTDuring India-Pakistan's four-day conflict in May, similar tremors were felt in Pakistan. Even then, a theory of atomic activity surfaced but was debunked by India Today after analysing the facts logically based on seismographic evidence and these scientific explanations in mind, it can be conclusively said that while nuclear activities, especially explosions, can cause small, localised earthquakes, the latest seismic events in Iran near nuclear facilities are consistent with natural tectonic activity, given the region's high seismic analysis, including from CTBTO, USGS, and independent seismologists, supports this conclusion, dismissing speculation about nuclear tests or military-induced quakes. The evidence leans toward natural causes, but ongoing monitoring and further research are essential, especially in conflict zones where speculation runs faster than the earthquake InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Israel#Iran
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
California fault line hit by earthquakes, sparking concerns over 'The Big One'
California experienced three earthquakes in an area being closely monitored for a major quake on Thursday and Friday. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) detected the seismic activity along the San Andreas Fault, which spans 800 miles from Cape Mendocino in the north to the Salton Sea in the south. Scientists warn this fault is overdue for a 'Big One' - a magnitude 7.8 earthquake or higher. The recent tremors ranged from a 2.5 to 2.9 magnitude, which experts say may cause mild injuries and damages. However, no injuries or damages have been reported as of yet. Experts are 'fairly confident that there could be a pretty large earthquake at some point in the next 30 years', Angie Lux, project scientist for Earthquake Early Warning at the Berkeley Seismology Lab, previously told Experts predict the 'Big One' would cause roughly 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries and $200billion in damages, according to the Great California Shakeout. Based on historical trends, it's estimated the San Andreas causes a major quake every 150 or so years, and the last one was 167 years ago. USGS detected the first quake, a 2.9 magnitude, on Thursday, northeast of San Francisco. This tremor was located on Calaveras Fault, a major branch of the San Andreas Fault system. The following earthquakes hit Friday morning, one along another branch of the major fault and another directly on it. The last major earthquakes on the San Andreas fault were in 1857 and 1906. The Fort Tejon earthquake of 1857 was a 7.9 magnitude, which caused ground fissures in the Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Santa Clara Rivers. Dr Sue Hough, a scientist in the USGS' Earthquake Hazards Program, told KTLA5 that there are conflicting studies about what signs precede a major earthquake. Some research suggested more activity happens before it hits, while others have found there is no warning, she added. Scientists are monitoring another fault line in California, the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which they believe could also produce a powerful earthquake soon. New research found that a 8.0 magnitude or higher quake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, combined with rising sea levels, would cause coastal land to sink up to 6.5ft within 30 minutes of a major tremor. The team generated tens of thousands of earthquake models to estimate the potential range of earthquake-driven subsidence — sinking land — that can be expected from the next large Cascadia earthquake. They determined that the most severe effects would hit southern Washington, northern Oregon and northern California, densely populated areas in the region. This event would result in significant expansion of the coastal floodplain — an area with a one percent chance of flooding each year — increasing it from 35 square miles to 116. If such a quake struck today, the researchers estimate that an additional 14,350 residents, 22,500 structures and 777 miles of roadway would fall within the post-earthquake floodplain, more than doubling flood exposure. The Cascadia Subduction Zone has historically produced 8.0 or larger magnitude earthquakes every 400 to 600 years, with the last striking in 1700. This might suggest the 'sleeping giant' is poised for another big one soon.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS California rocked by multiple earthquakes along fault line poised for 'The Big One'
California has experienced three earthquakes in the last 24 hours, sparking fears that a major quake could soon strike. The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the seismic activity along the San Andreas Fault, which spans 800 miles from Cape Mendocino in the north to the Salton Sea in the south. Scientists have warned that this fault is overdue for 'The Big One,' which would be a magnitude 7.8 or higher. While Friday's earthquakes ranged from a 2.5 to 2.9 magnitude, scientists determined that a 2.5 magnitude or higher can be felt and may cause injuries and damages. No injuries or damages have been reported as of yet. Experts are 'fairly confident that there could be a pretty large earthquake at some point in the next 30 years,' Angie Lux, project scientist for Earthquake Early Warning at the Berkeley Seismology Lab, previously told The 'Big One' would cause roughly 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries and $200 billion in damages, according to the Great California Shakeout. This is a developing story... More updates to come. USGS detected the first quake, a 2.9 magnitude, Thursday afternoon, northeast of San Francisco. This tremor was located on Calaveras Fault, a major branch of the San Andreas Fault system. The following earthquakes hit Friday morning, one along another branch of the major fault and another directly on it.
