With 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar only a year away, many people have begun stating that earthquakes are happening more often and are larger in size than in years past. With all this attention focused on the natural phenomenon of earthquakes, it is common to wonder if this is true, or just a misunderstanding of the events in this world.
According to the United States Geological Service, or USGS, there are three causes for this perception of increased seismic activity across the globe.
Improved Detection Technology
The number of seismic sensors around the globe have increased during the past twenty years. More areas of the world are being constantly monitored than at any time in history. The newer sensors are able to record earthquakes happening deeper within the Earth's crust, and register earthquakes below 1.0 on the Richter Scale. These quakes of significant depth or low Richter often went unnoticed or unreported.
Increased Media Coverage
In this age of global media, the Internet and 24 hour a day news coverage, major earthquakes are more likely to be reported on the news. In the 1980s, before cable news channels, an earthquake happening in a remote area wouldn't make the news unless there was significant damage or people noticing it. Most major earthquakes would receive local media attention, and maybe a brief mention in global papers.
The change in the media cycle means that earthquakes of all magnitudes are reported around the world in a matter of minutes. This leads casual television viewers to see more earthquakes in the news and believe they are happening more often.
Larger Populations in Fault Zones
The increase in human populations and the number of cities in fault zones has led to more people being in areas affected by earthquakes. Major cities around the world, such as Los Angeles, Tokyo and Lima are all in the "Ring of Fire". This area of high earthquake activity also has much of the global coastlines. With more people moving to the beaches and islands looking for work, food and beautiful beaches, this has placed more people in the path of earthquakes and tsunamis.
The larger concentrations of population in these areas has led to more deaths and damage from earthquakes and tsunamis. These figures are reported, along with statements like "deadliest earthquake" or "most expensive tsunami", creating the impression that the events are more powerful than in years past.
Scientific Assessment
The official position of the USGS is that these three factors create the illusion that earthquakes are more prominent today than in years past. The archives for number of quakes and the number of quakes per Richter Scale rating have remained the same throughout the data process. The increase that people think is occurring is only occurring in their perception. The facts don't support the idea that there are stronger or more earth shaking events today than in our past.
Shannon Webster - I have over a decade of experience working with government and financial companies. I enjoy politics, sociology, technology and ...
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