Recent Earthquake Analysis - Research Paper Example

I certify that this paper represents my own work and that I have properly cited all sources of information contained herein:” _____________________________ date:____________ Student Name- ISNS3359 Spring 2012EQ Paper: SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION (the epicenter was 2997 kilometers South-East of Comodoro rivadavia which had a population of approximately 140,850 at the time of the earthquake)1. Epicenter Location: Latitude: 56.422°S, Longitude: 27.063°W 2. Date & Time: (local time): 2011 March 06 14:32:35 UTC Duration: 11 minutes 51 seconds 3.

Depth to hypocenter: 84.2 km (52.3 miles) 4. Magnitude: MS = 6.5; MW = 6.65. Maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity: MMMI= IVfelt area: 329 km2.6. Fault Name: Pacific plateFault type & orientation: type: Normal Fault; Orientation: South Easttotal length of ruptured zone: 102 kmmaximum amount of offset: 677222 tons7. Plate Tectonic Setting: Major Tectonic Boundaries: Ridges –red, Subduction Zones -purple and Transform Faults -green.8. Damage Details: No damage reported since it happened on uninhabited regions of the Sandwich islandsPreviously, the South Sandwich Islands earthquake which occurred on 27th June, 1929 had a magnitude of approximately 7.8. The earthquake resulted to deaths, injuries and damage in millions.

The absolute majority of the active areas in the Atlantic Oceans in terms of both volcanic and seismic activity are concentrated in areas nearing the South Sandwich Islands near Antarctica and the Caribbean Islands. In the Caribbean Islands, immediately north of Puerto Rico dwells the Puerto Rico Trench. This is the deepest spot in the Atlantic Ocean. Here, the North American Plate (moving towards west) encounters the Caribbean Plate (moving towards east), causing a relatively active zone of subduction and systems of volcanic island-arc.

The Antilles zone of subduction is in the southeast direction of this. In the same manner, the South Sandwich Islands which are located in the southern Atlantic also indicate an active zone of subduction. In this case, the Atlantic Plate undergoes subduction under the Antarctic Plate, leading to the creation of the volcanic South Sandwich Islands (Salkey, 59). The majority of highly destructive tsunamis in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean were caused by either the result of volcanic eruption or seismic (earthquake) activity.

A considerable proportion of these led to localized death and damage, but no regionally catastrophic scale damages beyond the Caribbean. There are numerous unconfirmed and confirmed tsunami events that led to localized flooding, particularly in the Caribbean Islands and South Sandwich Islands. There have been slightly over 50 confirmed tsunamis, differing in size, around the Caribbean Islands and South Sandwich Islands since the year 1530 (Selinus, 107).9. Impact on culture, economy, & society: Caused fears of a tsunami.

There were no impacts on culture and economy.10. References citedEuropean-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. EMCS Manual Location. Retrieved on 15th April 2012 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usb0001q4l.php#detailsSelinus, Olle, Robert Finkelman, and Jose Centeno, eds. Medical Geology: a Regional Synthesis. 1.ed.10th ed. New York: Springer, 2011. page nr. Print.Salkey, Andrew. Earthquake (Caribbean Modern Classics). Mexico City: Peepal Tree, 2011. page nr. Print.

US Geological Survey. South Sandwich Islands Region. . Retrieved on 15th April 2012 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usb0001q4l.php#details Figure 1Worlds plates and their boundariesSource: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/where.html Figure 2Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Maps/10/330_-55.php Figure 3Source: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Images/EVID/21/210/210973/210973.regional.seismicity.jpg