The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the highest body that monitors seismic activity not only in that country but around the world. Even if most of the tremors are not felt, keeping a compilation allows experts to get an ‘idea’ of the areas that are more prone to shaking, if there is no sense to anticipate it.
According to the USGS, cited by VIVA USA, some of the places where its residents are most exposed are California, Utah, Alaska, Missouri, Oregon and Hawaii. The list has been expanded to include New Mexico, Kentucky and Illinois, most of which may file more than one report per day.
What were the last earthquakes in the US?
In the early hours of Monday (October 23), the event was reported 8 kilometers east of Coso Junction (California) with a depth of no more than 1.5 kilometers and a magnitude of 2.6. Areas near the epicenter are Little Lake, Olancha, Inyokern and Ridgecrest. California is one of the states with the most shaking.
This Sunday, at 8:49 in the morning, the earth shook at a speed equal to 3.6, 130 kilometers from Chalkyitsik (also in Alaska) and; According to the US Geological Survey, the places near the epicenter are Badger, Fairbanks, College and Whitehorse (the latter is located in Yukon, Canada).
At 7:38 the seismic activity was concentrated in Karluk, Alaska, with a magnitude of 2.7 and a depth of 7.5 kilometers. Earlier, West Texas was the focus (2.8) and the USGS emphasized surrounding areas such as Carlsbad, Artesia and Hobbs (these three in New Mexico) and Chihuahua (Mexico).
On the same day, one of the strongest earthquakes (3.8) was felt in Alaska, 57 kilometers west of Nanwalek. Anchorage, Eagle River, Knik-Fairview and Whitehorse are points not far from the epicenter.
What causes earthquakes?
The Mexican National Seismological Service (SSM) describes earthquakes as a release of energy that results in the propagation of waves. But how do you get to that point? According to that organization, it responds to the contact of some tectonic plates with others that give way to a “violent rupture and the sudden release of accumulated energy.”
Regarding the way in which they are detected, SSN refers to seismographs, instruments to evaluate the intensity, location, aftershocks and other characteristics of shaking. As for the duration, there is no estimate, because it can vary according to the place. In addition, the time observed by people is different from that observed by monitoring.
Speaking of aftershocks, these occur after an earthquake of ‘large’ magnitude and as the rocks are “rearranged.”
