Today I came across a fascinating website produced by the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) that allows the user to check out all the latest earthquake activity. Whilst not alluding to the mechanisms that trigger the quakes (i.e. climate change), the website is an invaluable tool for anyone interested in keeping up to date with global seismic activity. Having browsed the earthquakes of the last 30 days, I was startled at the number of unreported earthquakes that are taking place each day. For example, it is barely 10 am and already there have been five recorded events this morning - including a magnitude 5.2 in Fiji Islands as well as a 6.6 in Russia yesterday evening. I then scrolled down and noticed a shocking 11 earthquakes struck on christmas day; four of which were in Japan.
Theoretically, I was aware that magnitude 4-5 quakes were happening regularly within tectonic zones, but this website put seismic activity in perspective for me. When looking at the IRIS Seismic Monitor map, spatial distribution of earthquake activity is easily discernible, and by marking the quakes in terms of when they happened illuminates current seismic action and clustering as can be seen in the screenshot below. All in all, I believe this is an excellent visual tool to be appreciated by anyone who has even a vague regard for global geological hazards. The link to the home page is below and I strongly advocate having a glance.
Theoretically, I was aware that magnitude 4-5 quakes were happening regularly within tectonic zones, but this website put seismic activity in perspective for me. When looking at the IRIS Seismic Monitor map, spatial distribution of earthquake activity is easily discernible, and by marking the quakes in terms of when they happened illuminates current seismic action and clustering as can be seen in the screenshot below. All in all, I believe this is an excellent visual tool to be appreciated by anyone who has even a vague regard for global geological hazards. The link to the home page is below and I strongly advocate having a glance.
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