Unusually Many Strong Earthquakes Hit Populated Areas

An unusually high number of powerful earthquakes have rattled populated areas globally in recent months, leading to widespread destruction. Since a magnitude 7.8 quake hit Mindanao in the Philippines on June 7, five more earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7 have occurred.

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There are certain periods when they occur more frequently.

These seismic events include double earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24, followed by quakes of magnitudes 7.3 off Mexico, 7.4 in Colombia, and 7.7 near Flores, Indonesia. While an average of 15 earthquakes of this magnitude occur annually, seismologists like Björn Lund from Uppsala University acknowledge that their occurrence can vary, sometimes happening in clusters.

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It is a somewhat random variation in how often they occur.

What distinguishes this year's quakes is their impact on densely populated regions, resulting in considerable damage. The underlying mechanisms of earthquakes involve tectonic plates snagging and building up stress before releasing it suddenly. While theories about quakes occurring in clusters exist, they remain largely unproven, with the exception of aftershocks.

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What stands out with this year's earthquakes is that an unusual number have occurred in populated areas, which has led to great devastation.

Lund clarifies that the proximity of quakes in regions like Latin America and Southeast Asia within a short timeframe is largely coincidental. "An earthquake in Venezuela does not affect the plate in Indonesia; it is too far away for the plate movement itself to play a role," he explained. However, he noted that seismic waves from a closer quake can trigger another, as seen in the Venezuelan double earthquakes where one event appeared to dislodge the other. The precise prediction of such events remains a complex challenge.

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An earthquake in Venezuela does not affect the plate in Indonesia. It is too far away for the movement in the plate itself to play a role.