Latest news with #geodynamic
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Kamchatka is moving AWAY from Russia: Scientists are baffled as peninsula shifts 6.5ft southeast following magnitude 8.8 earthquake
Last week, Russia 's Kamchatka Peninsula was hit by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake –the sixth–largest ever recorded. The tremor released enormous amounts of destructive energy, triggering tsunami warnings as far away as Chile and the western United States. But when the activity had subsided, scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences were baffled to find that the peninsula had actually moved away from the mainland. In some places towards the peninsula's southern tip, the landmass had drifted as much as 6.5ft (two metres) to the southeast. That is similar to the movement caused by Japan 's 9–magnitude Tohoku earthquake in 2011 – the fifth–largest earthquake ever recorded. In a post on Telegram, the Russian Academy of Sciences wrote: 'We made a preliminary calculation based on the results of geodynamic observations. 'It turned out that we all went quite well to the southeast. 'The maximum coseismic displacements after the earthquake of July 30 were observed in the southern part of the peninsula.' Earthquakes occur along Earth's faultlines - points where the tectonic plates meet and move past one another. On average, the tectonic plates only move about 0.6 inches (1.5 centimetres) per year, but that movement isn't even and steady. In places like the Kamchatka Peninsula, where the Eurasian and Pacific plates meet, the plates become caught and lock against one another. When this happens, huge amounts of pressure are built up in the rocks along the faultline, which is ultimately released in the form of an earthquake. Scientists call this process elastic rebound, and it explains why landmasses move so quickly during periods of intense seismic activity. As the tectonic plates release pressure in the form of an earthquake, the two plates can slip past each other and often move several metres at a time. This process can actually continue for days or even weeks following the initial earthquake as the plates settle and adjust their positions. In the Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake last Wednesday, the release of such a large amount of built–up pressure allowed the entire peninsula to move up to 6.5 feet southeast. The earthquake released enormous amounts of energy, which triggered tsunamis that swept the nearby area (pictured), and led to tsunami warnings as far away as Chile and the western United States This process also explains why large earthquakes rarely arrive as isolated incidents but, rather, as sequences. The Kamchatka earthquake followed a 10–day sequence made up of 50 magnitude 5.0 or larger earthquakes, including three magnitude 6.6 tremors and a magnitude 7.4 earthquake on July 20. Similarly, large earthquakes are almost always followed by aftershocks – smaller earthquakes which follow in the wake of the main event. Professor David Tappin, lead tsunami expert at the British Geological Survey, told Daily Mail: 'They result from the sudden change in stress within and between rocks after the principal earthquake, as the displaced crust adjusts to the effects of the main shock. 'Aftershocks can happen in the days, months, or even years after the initial earthquake and are typically smaller than the main shock.' According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Kamchatka earthquake has already been followed by magnitude 6.9 and 6.2 aftershocks. The USGS says that the sequence remains active and that more aftershocks remain likely. The USGS predicts there is a 47 per cent chance of there being at least one magnitude 7.0 or larger earthquake in the month following the Kamchatka earthquake. These slips mean the aftershocks remain likely. This graph shows the likelihood that at least one earthquake of a given magnitude will occur within a month of last week's activity Within a year, there is a 13 per cent chance that the region will be hit by a magnitude 8.0 or larger event. Scientists believe that the flurry of activity following the initial earthquake has now also triggered two volcanic eruptions in the region. The Kamchatka Peninsula is situated directly above the Ring of Fire, a 25,000–mile chain of volcanoes that stretches around the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire is home to over 425 active volcanoes, including 22 within the peninsula itself. Just hours after the earthquake, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the largest volcano in the region, exploded with a stream of lava and ash. On August 3, the Krasheninnikov Volcano then became the second volcano to suddenly erupt following the earthquake. As it erupted for the first time in over 500 years, the volcano sent a plume of ash 3.7 miles (6 km) into the sky. Scientists believe that these eruptions were triggered by the earthquake, which opened new faults in the rock and allowed more magma to escape towards the surface. Those changes in structural integrity and pressure may have pushed Klyuchevskaya Sopka and Krasheninnikov into erupting. This has sparked concerns that Russia's recent earthquakes could trigger a wave of devastating volcanic eruptions along the Ring of Fire. However, earthquakes will only trigger eruptions in volcanoes which are close to eruption. That means scientists do not expect to see significantly increased rates of volcanic activity along the geological fault. The Earth is moving under our feet: Tectonic plates move through the mantle and produce Earthquakes as they scrape against each other Tectonic plates are composed of Earth's crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle. Below is the asthenosphere: the warm, viscous conveyor belt of rock on which tectonic plates ride. The Earth has fifteen tectonic plates (pictured) that together have moulded the shape of the landscape we see around us today Earthquakes typically occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where one plate dips below another, thrusts another upward, or where plate edges scrape alongside each other. Earthquakes rarely occur in the middle of plates, but they can happen when ancient faults or rifts far below the surface reactivate. These areas are relatively weak compared to the surrounding plate, and can easily slip and cause an earthquake.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Kamchatka Earthquake Validates ALLATRA's Geodynamic Forecasts, as Examined by Scientist Dr. Egon Cholakian
WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / August 5, 2025 / In a recent video address, " Powerful Earthquake in Kamchatka. ALLATRA's Warning Came True ", American scientist Dr. Egon Cholakian provides a detailed analysis of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Kamchatka region on July 30, 2025, one of the most powerful in recent decades. The event generated tsunami waves reaching Japan, Hawaii, and the western coast of the United States, with localized flooding and evacuations in Severo-Kurilsk and coastal areas of Kamchatka, Russia. Dr. Egon Cholakian, a Registered Federal Lobbyist with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House, and a Registered Foreign Agent with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division, in his new video address, 'Powerful Earthquake in Kamchatka. ALLATRA's Warning Came True' In the immediate aftermath, at least five strong aftershocks were recorded within hours, with magnitudes ranging from 4.8 to 6.0. Over the next 24 hours, seismic activity remained high, with more than 170 aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 or greater-eight of which exceeded magnitude 6.0 and were felt in populated areas. Dr. Cholakian views this seismic event not as a localized release of tectonic stress, but as a signal marking the onset of a new acute geodynamic phase. He emphasizes that this phase is accompanied by the activation of the Siberian mantle plume in Russia. The scientist explains that the Kamchatka earthquake is linked to the edge effect caused by immense pressure exerted by the plume on the Eurasian lithospheric plate, and provides a detailed description of the geophysical mechanisms involved. Dr. Egon Cholakian cites the ALLATRA report 'On the Threat of a Magma Plume Eruption in Siberia and Strategies for Addressing the Issue', which describes the impact of the Siberian magmatic plume on the Kamchatka region The Siberian magma plume, a rising stream of superheated material from deep within the Earth, is actively pressing on the lithosphere of Siberia. Its head, 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers (about 745 to 930 miles) in diameter, lies south of the Gydan and Taymyr Peninsulas, with a magmatic flow dispersion zone spanning 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers (roughly 1,550 to 1,860 miles), comparable to the size of Australia. 'The illusion of safety is the most dangerous self-deception of our time,' Dr. Cholakian states. 'A resident of Los Angeles, Istanbul, or Tokyo, reading the news about Kamchatka, might have thought, 'That's far away. That doesn't concern me.' But that is a delusion. What happened in Kamchatka is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom. It is a clear and unmistakable signal that the global geodynamic system of our planet has entered a stage of active, catastrophic breakdown.' He highlights a forecast by his colleague Mr. Danilov in early June 2025, who forecasted a powerful earthquake with a probable occurrence window extending into early August north of the Japanese archipelago, confirmed by the Kamchatka event and demonstrating the effectiveness of Mr. Danilov's innovative seismic forecasting method. Dr. Cholakian and Mr. Danilov Dr. Cholakian presents evidence that ALLATRA repeatedly warned of such events. The video incorporates excerpts from Dr. Cholakian's prior addresses and ALLATRA analytical reports, showing a correlation between the earthquake and the climate-geodynamic model in the movement's publications. From the ALLATRA report 'On the Threat of a Magma Plume Eruption in Siberia and Strategies for Addressing the Issue": Earthquake depths in the Kuril-Kamchatka region are increasing, indicating more dynamic lithospheric plate interactions due to the Siberian mantle plume. An increase in volcanic activity and anomalies in deep magma ascent are expected. Seismic data analysis reveals a rise in M4.0+ earthquakes in the region, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, with spikes suggesting independent influence from the Siberian plume. Dr. Egon Cholakian cites the ALLATRA Report 'On the Threat of a Magma Plume Eruption in Siberia and Strategies for Addressing the Issue', which describes the forecast for increased volcanic activity in the Kamchatka region as a result of pressure exerted on the plate by the Siberian magmatic plume Dr. Cholakian critiques the Russian Academy o f Sciences' linked to processes not disclosed by them and approaches relying on accumulated tectonic stress or solar activity. Seismic activity has risen exponentially in recent decades, uncorrelated with solar cycles' 11-year rhythm. No anomalous solar activity preceded the Kamchatka earthquake, undermining claims of direct linkage. Dr. Egon Cholakian points out the absence of correlation between major earthquakes and phases of the 11-year solar cycle based on open data. The chart from the article shows the solar cycle (in black) and earthquake fatalities (in red). The left scale corresponds to Wolf numbers, while the right scale represents the number of earthquake fatalities Emphasizing that outdated models and a lack of data transparency hinder threat assessment, Dr. Cholakian warns that Kamchatka marks the start of a more intense geodynamic phase. Future tension releases in weak zones like Yellowstone, the San Andreas Fault, Campi Flegrei caldera, and the Japan Trench are pose a particular threat, given the increasing pressure from beneath. Without decisive action in the coming years for controlled degassing to relieve Siberian plume pressure, earthquakes of magnitude 8.8 could occur worldwide at an average frequency of once per week in five years. Dr. Egon Cholakian, in his new video address, 'Powerful Earthquake in Kamchatka. ALLATRA's Warning Came True' Dr. Cholakian notes that ALLATRA IPM's interdisciplinary model issued early warnings, leading to its designation as an extremist organization in Russia in June 2025 and laws prohibiting searching on the internet related materials, aimed at concealing the causes of intensifying catastrophes. Despite repression in Russia, ALLATRA receives international support, including Apostolic Blessings from Pope Francis. In 2025, Pope Leo XIV issued a second blessing, addressed to the movement's president and all its volunteers. At international UN climate forums, including COP16 and COP29, ALLATRA representatives delivered reports, presented scientific strategies for confronting climate instability, shared innovative solutions, and strengthened global collaboration. This is transparent, evidence-based, results-driven work. Dr. Egon Cholakian, in his video address, highlights the prestigious recognition of ALLATRA's activities and proudly showcases press releases from international conferences and events on ALLATRA's official website Dr. Cholakian also emphasized the true irony reveals itself: those with scientific expertise, internationally recognized methodologies, and real tools for understanding what is happening namely, the ALLATRA scientific community, are the very people being removed from public view in Russia. And these same forces are now attempting to shut down ALLATRA in Ukraine and silence its voice in the democratic world. In the final part of the address, Egon Cholakian calls on the global community to adopt a more conscious and science-based approach to evaluating geodynamic risks. He emphasizes that each of us faces a choice: to continue believing a comforting lie that leads inevitably to disaster or to find the courage to confront a harsh reality. About Dr. A. Egon Cholakian Egon Cholakian is a National Security Expert, and a Registered Federal Lobbyist with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and White House, and a Registered Foreign Agent with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division. He currently serves as the Capitol Hill representative of ALLATRA. For more information, please visit CONTACT: Jane Parker Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE: Egon LLC press release
