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"Slow" Earthquakes May Help Predict Major Quakes
Iphtashu Fitz writes "Think all earthquakes last only seconds or minutes? Think again! Scientists at the University of Washington are measuring a "slow" earthquake some 12 to 25 miles underground that could last as long as a month. Along with the UW scientists, seismologists at the Geological Survey of Canada and Central Washington University have documented at least nine previous so-called slow earthquakes going back to 1992. They seem to occur every 14 months or so, the last one occuring in February and March of last year. These earthquakes, also known as slow-slip earthqakes, can release as much energy as a magnitude 6.8 earthquake but because it's released over such a long period of time nobody on the surface even notices it. One key question the scientists are trying to answer is whether these slow earthquakes add to or relieve stress in the tectonic plates, which could ultimately help to predict major earthqakes."
You want scary?
Here in the midwest (Indiana) we're anxiously awaiting the next quake from the New Madrid fault. The last time it peaked, the Mississippi reversed direction for two days and the ground rippled like waves of four-to-five feet.
Imagine that with the fact most buildings in the midwest, whether it's Chicago, St. Louis, any other city familiar to you - if you aren't familiar with all of the cities, haven't been built to withstand an earthquake. After all, they don't come along often enough to warrant that type of concern and|or expense.
I believe a research into predicting earthquakes should be encouraged and given more funding. I am saying this because of my own experience. About 3 years ago, my city and lot of cities around my state experienced a major quake reading 7.8 (Bhuj quake in India) that killed more than 30,000 people. I was sleeping when this happened and it was terrifying. Never in my dream I had imagined my city was in earthquake prone zone. Looking at the rumble and bodies gave me shivers. I believe if such a thing is developed so many lives could be saved (if not property). Also this might help in identifying earthquake zones (if I remeber correctly they classify them in zones based on likelihood of having an earthquake) and that can give an impetus to civil authorities to build earthquake proof houses minimising property damage as well. Just my thoughts.