Category: subduction zone

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The April 17 earthquake sequence in Chile (ongoing) [test article]

During 14 to 18 day period in April a earthquake swarm took place in Chile. This earthquake swarm started with a minor earthquake swarm with around dozen or so earthquakes with magnitude above 3,0 (other magnitudes might not be registered with EMSC). This earthquake sequence appears to have started on 17th of April-2017 with just a few earthquakes. I don’t have the information on the exact time it started. The first earthquake swarm was located in a narrow area above the subduction zone (where compression takes place). Few days later after the earthquake activity started the first large earthquake hit and had a magnitude of Mw6,0 (EMSC Information). Largest earthquake in this activity so far had the magnitude of Mw6,9 (EMSC Information). I don’t have any information on total number of earthquakes, but just based on the amount of earthquake activity show on EMSC total number of earthquakes must run in the low thousands (up to 10.000 earthquakes).

I don’t have the number of total earthquakes with magnitude above 4,0, at least dozen or so earthquakes (or close it) must have happened in this earthquake swarm in Chile. This area where this swarm took place had a magnitude 8,3 earthquake in 2015 and a magnitude 8,8 earthquake in 2010. This means that this part of Chile has a well documented history with extremely large earthquakes happening. If that’s going to be the case now is difficult to know, it can’t be ruled out based on the area history.

Detailed reading material from people that know more

Earthquake sequence in Central Chile: what we know so far

Test article

This is a test article to see if there is any interest for articles like this on their own website. I would not update it in real-time like Iceland Geology, but few days after the main earthquake has happened. Major earthquakes might get a extra speedy article if required (not guaranteed). I might write one or two articles like this more to do more tests in next few weeks if there is any interest for this type of articles.

The new website would be on its own domain, not a sub-folder of the domain jonfr.com.

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Earthquake with the size of Mw5.3 in Greece, Dodecanese Islands this morning

Early this morning at 04:24 UTC there was an earthquake with the size of Mw5.3 this morning in Greece, Dodecanese Islands according to EMSC. The depth is estimated around 10 km. According to EMSC this earthquake was felt on nearby Islands. But it was followed with more the dozen or so aftershocks. The largest ones had the size of ML4.1, the largest aftershocks have also been felt on nearby Islands. But the epicenter of this earthquakes is out in the ocean. A good distance from next populated area. Aftershock activity is currently ongoing in this area.


The location of the Mw5.1 earthquake in Greece, Dodecanese Islands this morning. Copyright of this picture belongs to EMSC.


Local view of the earthquake this morning in Greece, Dodecanese Islands. Copyright of this picture belongs to EMSC.

Earthquakes of this size are common in this area of Greece. But in this area of Greece has an active subduction zone. As can be clearly seen on this picture here.


Picture of the subduction zones in Greece. Copyright holder unknown. But the picture is from the blog, In the Company of Plants and Rocks

For this reason, this area is highly active in both earthquakes and volcanoes.

Special on glasses and GSM repeater

Because I have to buy new glasses. I have to delay buying GSM repeater for my mom and dad. As my income does not allow for me buying both. But the cost of each is around 2000 DKK (offers and discounts depending on the glasses). A money that I cannot afford to spend all at once now. So I am just going to collect for the GSM repeater later in the year after I have moved to Denmark. As glasses have nr 1 priority for me. Since I am close to being blind without glasses. That is one reason why I hate having this small income as I do today. It is my hope that I can change it in next few months (12 to 24 months). At least I am going to try to do so.

Those how have already supported me for the GSM repeater. Thanks for the support. I however have to use it buy new glasses when I go to Denmark next month to apply for an apartment.

Blog post updated at 21:23 on 26.01.2012