Earthquakes Probably Won't Destroy Us in 2018

TL;DR

New research suggests that the Earth's rotation may be connected to the occurrence of big earthquakes, but the correlation is still uncertain. Additionally, human activity such as natural gas extraction and wastewater injection could contribute to an increase in earthquakes.

Transcript

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you may have seen some worrying headlines pop up over the last week or so. Things like “2018 is going to be the worst year on record for major earthquakes” or “You better dig out an earthquake bunker because we’re definitely all going to die.” I mean, that one might be an exaggeration... but you get the ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 The Earth's rotation may have a correlation with the occurrence of big earthquakes, but more research is needed to determine the exact cause of this relationship.
• 😃 Researchers suggest that as the Earth's rotation slows down, the movement of molten layers may build up energy near faults, potentially leading to more big earthquakes.
• 🇺🇸 Human activities, such as natural gas extraction and wastewater injection, may contribute to an increase in earthquakes in specific regions, like the Central United States.
• 🔬 Predicting earthquakes remains a challenging task, as seismology is a complex and uncertain science.
• 👨‍🔬 Research using seismic reflection data provides evidence that human activity could be linked to an increase in earthquakes.
• 👨‍🎤 Understanding the rocks and faults is crucial in determining the human impact on seismic activity.
• 🪡 The correlation between human activity and earthquakes needs further investigation and observation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do tectonic plates and faults contribute to the occurrence of earthquakes?

Tectonic plates are large fragments that make up the Earth's crust, and where these plates meet or within plates, there are cracks called faults. When different sides of a fault get stuck and then suddenly move, a release of energy occurs, resulting in an earthquake.

Q: What did the researchers notice about the occurrence of big earthquakes and the Earth's rotation?

Researchers found a correlation between a decrease in the Earth's rotation speed and an increase in big earthquakes. The slowing of the Earth's rotation may cause the insides of the planet to slosh around, potentially building up energy near faults.

Q: Is it possible to predict earthquakes reliably?

Predicting earthquakes is incredibly challenging, as there are still many unknown factors that can cause faults to build up energy. Seismology is a complex science with uncertainties, and researchers are still discussing the potential correlation between the Earth's rotation and earthquakes.

Q: How does human activity contribute to an increase in earthquakes?

Studies have shown that certain human activities, such as natural gas extraction and wastewater injection, may change the pressure in gas pockets between chunks of the Earth's crust. This change can lead to ground shifts and an increase in seismic activity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Scientists have noticed a pattern that big earthquakes occur more often worldwide every 30 or so years, potentially related to patterns in the Earth's rotation.

• The Earth's rotation may affect the movement of the planet's molten layers, which could build up energy near faults and lead to more big earthquakes.

• Recent research suggests that human activity, such as natural gas extraction and wastewater injection, may contribute to an increase in earthquakes in certain regions, like the Central United States.