Mexico Earthquakes: Today's Quakes Reported on August 8th
In the past few days, several earthquakes have been reported across Mexico and the United States. Here's a rundown of some of the notable seismic events:
Earthquakes in Mexico
- A magnitude 2.6 earthquake occurred 31 km southeast of San Marcos, Guerrero, at a depth of 21 km.
- Another earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9 was reported 15 km northeast of San Marcos, Guerrero, at a depth of 20.9 km.
- An earthquake 12 km southeast of Peribán, Michoacán, had a magnitude of 2.6 and a depth of 17.5 km.
- Earthquakes were also reported in Tonalá, Chiapas, Peribán, Michoacán, and other locations in the region, with magnitudes ranging from 3.1 to 3.8.
Earthquakes in the United States
- An earthquake 11 km north of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, had a magnitude of 3.1 and a depth of 12.4 km.
- A tremor 2 km southeast of Tamazula, Jalisco, was recorded with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 12.3 km.
Understanding Earthquakes, Tremors, and Seismic Events
While the terms tremor, earthquake, and seismic event may seem similar, they differ primarily in their intensity, size, and consequences.
- A tremor generally refers to a smaller, often less damaging shaking of the ground. Tremors can be minor seismic vibrations that may go unnoticed or cause minimal effects on the surface.
- An earthquake is a more significant seismic event involving the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, generating seismic waves strong enough to cause noticeable shaking and potential damage. Earthquakes vary widely in magnitude and intensity, but they typically have enough energy to be detected by seismographs and felt by people.
- A seismic event is a broader, more general term that encompasses any measurable seismic activity, including tremors, earthquakes, explosions, or other sources of ground vibrations. It does not specify intensity or consequence, only that seismic waves were generated.
Measuring Earthquakes
- Intensity describes the severity of ground shaking at a specific location and is commonly measured by qualitative scales like the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. Intensity depends on factors such as proximity to the epicenter, local geological conditions, and earthquake magnitude.
- Magnitude quantifies the size or strength of the seismic waves generated at the source, measured by scales such as the Richter or Moment Magnitude Scale, reflecting the energy released by the seismic event.
Recent Notable Earthquakes in History
Some of the strongest earthquakes recorded in the history of the United States include the Alaska Earthquake (1964), San Francisco Earthquake (1906), Charleston Earthquake (1886), Long Beach Earthquake (1933), and Loma Prieta Earthquake (1989).
Stay safe and informed during seismic events. If you find yourself in a supermarket during an earthquake, stay calm, find a safe spot under a sturdy object or next to one, move away from aisles to avoid being hit by falling objects, and use flashlights to illuminate instead of candles, matches, or lighters due to potential gas leaks. After an earthquake, check for injured people, move away from damaged buildings or structures, avoid using matches or lighters, and stay informed about the news and follow the instructions of the authorities.
- In the realm of news and medical-conditions, it's essential to educate the public on staying safe during seismic events like earthquakes. For instance, in a health-and-wellness perspective, it's crucial to know how to react during an earthquake in a supermarket — stay calm, find a safe spot, move away from aisles, and avoid using open flames due to potential gas leaks.
- As for science, understanding the differences between tremors, earthquakes, and seismic events can provide valuable insights. For example, while an earthquake is a more significant seismic event that causes noticeable shaking and potential damage, a tremor is a smaller, often less damaging shaking of the ground, such as those reported in recent days in Mexico and the United States.
