We have all heard of earthquakes that have been happening over the years. Usually only the major ones make the news in Canada. In 2009 17 earthquakes reached a magnitude of 7.0 and higher, 1 earthquake higher than 8.0 for a total of 18 quakes across the world. This is higher than 2008 in which only 12 earthquakes were high than 7.0 and none higher than 8.0. In 2007 there were 13 earthquakes that registered at 7.0 and higher and 4 earthquakes that came in between 8.0 and 8.5 The last three years hold significantly more earthquakes than 2006 where there were only 9 earthquakes that registered 7.0 and higher and 1 earthquake at 8.3 Prior to 1993, earthquakes did not even register higher than 7.9 and on very few occasions were the deadliest earthquakes from 1990 to 2010 register as the deadliest. In fact, many of the strongest earthquakes had very few deaths, some having no deaths.
Ever since Haiti’s earthquake on January 12, 2010 there has been significantly more press about the earthquakes happening around the world. So far there have been a total of 21 earthquakes. Of these 21, 3 have been 7.0 and higher, 1 8.8 in Chile, and 11 earthquakes in the 6.0 range.
We also need to keep in mind some of the major after affects of these earthquakes. The aftershocks felt in Chile rated higher than many of the earthquakes that are more commonly experienced around the world. Chile’s 8.8 earthquake also triggered a pacific wide tsunami that affected hundreds of coastal villages as well as moved the earth’s axis by 3 degrees.
I don’t know for sure, I do think that a lot of these major earthquakes set off chains of small earthquakes – 5.0 and under in many places of the world.
I have included some links for you to follow for more information on the earthquakes that are going on around the world
http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/qed/
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/
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