Earthquakes

[Soldier4Christ]

 Quake near Guam sways buildings

A strong earthquake swayed buildings on the Pacific island of Guam on Sunday but there were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami alert was issued.
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The magnitude 7.1 quake occurred at 12.09 p.m. local time near the U.S. territory, with its epicenter at a depth of 30 km, Japan's Meteorological Agency said on its Web site (www.jma.go.jp/en/quake).

Some residents said high-rise blocks swayed and goods fell off supermarket shelves. But two hours after the quake, local television had reported no damage to buildings on Guam, an island east of the Philippines which is home to a major U.S. military base.

"We felt it. It was swinging back and forth for a minute or two," said Patrick Chan, a Guam-based meteorologist at the U.S. National Weather Service. "It's not expected to cause a tsunami." The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based in Hawaii, said in a statement there was "no destructive widespread tsunami threat." Neither Guam nor the Philippines issued tsunami warnings.

The U.S. Geological Survey also recorded a quake in the same area, which it said on its Web site (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter) was of magnitude 6.8 and centered about 345 km (215 miles) south-southeast of Guam.

[Soldier4Christ]

Pacific shaken by strong quakes
7.1, 7.3 temblors hit near Guam, New Zealand – no injuries

Two high-magnitude earthquakes have hit different parts of the Pacific Ocean, officials in the US and Japan say.

A 7.3 magnitude quake struck at 0525 GMT south of New Zealand's South Island, with no reports of injuries.

Earlier, the US territory of Guam was shaken by weaker tremor. Islanders in high-rise buildings felt the quake but reported no damage, local media said.

The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said neither quake was likely to cause a destructive tsunami.

The stronger tremor hit about 500km (310 miles) off the coast of New Zealand, around the uninhabited Auckland Islands.

There were no reports of any damage and its impact had substantially decreased by the time it arrived at the mainland, the BBC's Greg Ward in Auckland says.

The Guam quake, which hit 350km off the coast at 0209 GMT, was given a 7.1 magnitude by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Officials at the US Geological Survey said it had a magnitude of 6.8.

Its epicentre, some 30km (19 miles) deep, was in the southern part of the Mariana Islands, the Japanese agency said.

There were no reports of injuries or damage on the US territory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Earthquake Experts at Tel Aviv University Turn to History for Guidance

The best seismologists in the world don’t know when the next big earthquake will hit. But a Tel Aviv University geologist suggests that earthquake patterns recorded in historical documents of Middle Eastern countries indicate that the region’s next significant quake is long overdue.

A major quake of magnitude seven on the Richter scale in the politically-fragile region of the Middle East could have dire consequences for precious holy sites and even world peace, says Tel Aviv University geologist Dr. Shmulik Marco. In light of this imminent danger, Marco, from the school’s Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, has taken an historical approach to earthquake forecasting by using ancient records from the Vatican and other religious sources in his assessment. The past holds the key to the future, he says.

“All of us in the region should be worried,” explains Marco, who dedicates his career to piecing together ancient clues.

Based on the translations of hundreds of documents -- some of the originals of which he assumes reside in Vatican vaults -- Marco has helped determine that a series of devastating earthquakes have hit the Holy Land over the last two thousand years. The major ones were recorded along the Jordan Valley in the years 31 B.C.E., 363 C.E., 749 C.E., and 1033 C.E. “So roughly,” warns Marco, “we are talking about an interval of every 400 years. If we follow the patterns of nature, a major quake should be expected any time because almost a whole millennium has passed since the last strong earthquake of 1033.”

Written by monks and clergy, the documents, which span about two millenia, can help determine the location and impact of future quakes on several fault planes cutting through Israel and its neighboring countries, Marco believes. “We use the records, written in churches and monasteries or by hermits in the desert, to find patterns,” he says. Marco credits the help of an international team of historians, who have deciphered the Latin, Greek, and Arabic of the original correspondence.

He continues, “Even if these papers were not ‘officially’ recording history, they hold a lot of information. ... Some are letters to Europe asking for funding of church repairs. And while many of these accounts are told in an archaic religious manner, they help us confirm the dates and location of major calamities. Following these patterns in the past can be a good predictor of the future.”

One of the most cited Christian chroniclers in history upon whom Marco bases some of his conclusions is a ninth-century Byzantine aristocratic monk named Theophanes, venerated today by Catholics. In one manuscript, Theophanes wrote, “A great earthquake in Palestine, by the Jordan and in all of Syria on 18 January in the 4th hour. Numberless multitudes perished, churches and monasteries collapsed especially in the desert of the Holy City.”

While Christian sources helped Marco confirm ancient catastrophes and cast light on future ones, Jewish sources from the Bible also gave him small pieces of the puzzle. A verse in Zachariah (Ch. 14) describes two instances of earthquakes, one of which split apart the Mount of Olives, he says. Muslim clergy have also collected ancient correspondence, which further broadens the picture.

”Earthquakes are a manifestation of deeper processes inside the earth,” Marco says. “My questions and analysis examine how often they occur and whether there is pattern to them, temporally or spatially. I am looking for patterns and I can say that based on ancient records, the pattern in Israel around the Dead Sea region is the most disturbing to us.

“When it strikes and it will  this quake will affect Amman, Jordan as well as Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Earthquakes don’t care about religion or political boundaries,” Marco concludes.

[Shammu]

'Major earthquake in Israel – a matter of time'

GII picks up two small earthquakes in Jordan rift valley area over past few days. Study shows major quake is pending

Roee Nahmias
Published: 10.14.07, 12:54
Israel News

A 3.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Jordan rift valley area. The Geophysical Institute of Israel noted the seismic activity around 6pm Saturday. The Jordan rift valley is in close proximity to the volatile Syrian-African Rift.

Rami Hofstetter, head of the Geophysical Institute of Israel told Ynet that "our instruments picked up two small quakes in the area over the last few days – the first one registering at 2.9 and the second of a 2.5 magnitude."

Shmuel Marko of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Geophysics in Tel Aviv University and Oded Katz of the GII, have recently published a new study, saying a major earthquake is heading Israel's way.

Past data, said the two, proves that such a quake is just a matter of time. "We know that the area between the Kinneret and the Dead Sea was subject to several large quakes, in 31BC, 362BC, 749BC and 1033AD. Another major one is coming soon."

Hofstetter seemed unfazed by Marko and Katz's study. "Saying Israel will be subject to a major earthquake is like saying the sun will rise tomorrow. A major quake in on the way," he said. "We just don't know where it's going to hit."

'Major earthquake in Israel – a matter of time'

[Shammu]

A warning from researchers at Tel Aviv University of a major earthquake hitting Israel in the near future has an interesting prophetic significance according to Bible prophecy.

The state of Israel is located along the Syrian-African Rift Valley, a friction point between two subterranean plates and is considered an earthquake prone area.

History has recorded a number of major earthquakes along the Jordan Valley in Israel, a portion of the Rift Valley. There have been over the years a number of smaller quakes in the earthquake prone area which also leads to speculation that the "big one" could happen in the near future.

Prophetic passages in the Bible speak much of earthquake activity in the end times. Matthew 24, a record of the Olivet Discourse that was given by Jesus Christ, reveals that the Lord said that one of the "signs" for His Second Coming would be earthquake activity across the world, Matthew 24:7.

Revelation 6:12, 11:13 and 16:18 all speak of earthquakes in the last days. The prophet Ezekiel wrote that when the enemies of Israel come to destroy the Jewish state there will be a "great shaking in the land", which many Bible scholars believe is referring to a massive earthquake, Ezekiel 38:19.

The report from researchers at Tel Aviv University that the "big one" is on the way to Israel is indeed setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

[Littleboy]

5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes San Francisco Bay Area
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

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 USGS


Oct. 30: A map shows the epicenter of the earthquake, northeast of San Jose in Northern California.
Oct. 30: A map shows the epicenter of the earthquake, northeast of San Jose in Northern California.
 SAN JOSE, Calif. —  A magnitude-5.6 earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay area Tuesday night, rattling homes and nerves, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.

The moderate temblor struck shortly after 8 p.m., about 9 miles northeast of San Jose, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Residents reported feeling the quake as far east as Sacramento and as far north as Sonoma.

The California Highway Patrol has received no reports of damage or injuries, spokesman Tom Marshall said.

It was the strongest tremor in the Bay Area since 1989, when a magnitude-7.1 quake killed 62 people.

[ibTina]

I was just saying the other day how 'quiet' it has been in Ca for earthquakes.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

I realize this is off-topic for this particular thread, so forgive me. I just heard on Fox News that a tropical storm is about to hit Florida. According to initial reports, it's already killed over 80 people in Haiti I think they said. Isn't this really weird for this time of year?

[Soldier4Christ]

It is pretty late in the season. Hurricane season is officially over Nov 30th so it isn't completely without precedence to have such a storm right now. It seems pretty unusual though since we have had such a mild hurricane/tropical storm season this year.

[Littleboy]

I'm just waiting for the birthing pains to get closer & her water break, so she'll hurry up and give birth...
AMEN?

[Littleboy]

 Major earthquake strikes northern Chile By EDUARDO GALLARDO, Associated Press Writer
41 minutes ago
 


SANTIAGO, Chile - A major earthquake struck northern Chile on Wednesday, toppling power lines, closing roads and sending terrified residents into the streets. Authorities reported 20 injuries but no deaths from the quake, which was felt in the capital as well as neighboring Peru and Bolivia.

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The earthquake, which struck at 12:40 p.m. local time (10:40 a.m. EST), measured magnitude 7.7 and was centered 780 miles north of Santiago, or 25 miles east-southeast of Tocopilla, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The USGS said it occurred about 37.3 miles underground.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued, then canceled a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru. It said the quake generated only a 2-foot wave.

Aftershocks were felt in several cities, according to media reports from the area.

Some houses were damaged in the port city of Tocopilla, according to Deputy Interior Minister Felipe Harboe, "and some people were injured, apparently none seriously." He gave no figures but the government's Emergency Bureau said at least 20 people were injured in the small town of Maria Elena. A number of houses were damaged there, said Mayor Eduardo Ahumada.

Presidential spokesman Ricardo Lagos Weber said power was cut in several cities in northern Chile.

The region is home to some of the country's largest copper mines. A statement from mine operator Codelco reported no "relevant" damage, but said its mines in the region were without power and only emergency teams were operating. Only minor landslides were reported, it said.

Television images showed cars crushed by the collapse of a hotel entryway in Antofagasta, 105 miles south of the epicenter. A reporter for Radio Cooperativa said she saw cracks in the tarmac at the airport in Antofagasta.

Schools, hospitals and other buildings were evacuated in several cities.

"It was horribly strong. It was very long and there was a lot of underground noise," said Andrea Riveros, spokeswoman for the Park Hotel in Calama, 60 miles from the epicenter and site of the large Chuquicamata copper mine.

She said the quake knocked out power to the hotel, but caused no damage.

At the nearby Agua del Desierto Hotel, administrator Paola Barria said she felt like she was riding on "a floating island." She reported downed power lines, cracked windows and fallen pieces of houses near the hotel.

"I was very frightened. It was very strong," she said. "I've never felt one that strong."

In the Bolivian capital of La Paz, 385 miles northeast of the epicenter, some high-rise buildings were evacuated, but there was no apparent damage and people soon returned to their offices.

Stretching along the earthquake-prone Pacific "Ring of Fire," Chile has suffered many destructive temblors. A 1939 quake killed 28,000 people and in 1960 a magnitude-9.5 quake killed 5,700 people. That remains the most powerful quake on record.

On June 13, 2005, a magnitude 7.8 quake near Tarapaca in northern Chile killed 11 people and left thousands homeless.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

We should read threads like this and be humbled before GOD. All of mankind will be humbled before GOD one day, and it will be too late for great hosts who have rejected CHRIST.

The awesome power of nature and planets is just a tiny example of the limitless Power of ALMIGHTY GOD. This power and much more is in HIS Hands and only HE controls it. Increasing numbers and power of natural disasters is one of the SIGNS of the end days of this Age of Grace. ALMIGHTY GOD has shown great patience with evil men who have rejected HIM. We should all know that HIS Patience will come to an end, and that time might be soon.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour Forever!

[Littleboy]

 Quake hits Peru-Ecuador border 1 hour, 6 minutes ago
 


QUITO (Reuters) - A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck along the border between Peru and Ecuador on Thursday night, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

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The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was 74 miles deep and 150 miles southeast of the Ecuador capital, Quito, and struck about 10:13 p.m. local time (10:13 EST on Friday).

Residents in Quito and the country's coastal city of Guayaquil felt the quake, according to a Reuters witness and local media reports. A Red Cross spokesman said there were no immediate signs of injuries.

The temblor was not felt at the only big Peruvian mine near the quake zone, the Yanacocha gold deposit, said Guillermo Nina, a union official.

No important oil facilities are located in southern Ecuador, South America's fifth-largest oil producer.

Earthquakes frequently strike the Andean region, but Peruvian seismologist Hernan Tavara said the quake was not related to two other recent powerful quakes.

In August, an 8-magnitude quake south of Lima, Peru's capital, killed more than 500 people.

A 7.7-magnitude quake in Chile on Wednesday killed two people, injured more than 100 others and temporarily cut power to copper mines before work returned to normal.

(Additional reporting by Marco Aquino and Terry Wade in Lima and Alonso Soto in Ecuador; Editing by Peter Cooney)

[Shammu]

11/17/2007      USGS ENS      2007-11-17 17:54 (Mw 6.0) OFFSHORE ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE -23.1 -70.7     

11/16/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-16 03:12 REVISED: (Mw 6.7) PERU-ECUADOR BORDER REGION -2.3 -77.8    

11/16/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-16 03:13 (Mb 6.3) COLOMBIA-ECUADOR BORDER REGION 0.7 -77.9    

11/15/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-15 15:03 REVISED: (Mw 6.2) OFFSHORE ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE -22.8 -70.3    

11/15/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-15 15:03 REVISED: (Mb 5.9) OFFSHORE ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE -22.8 -70.3    

11/15/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-15 17:18 (Mb 5.8 ) TONGA REGION -22.8 -175.2    

11/15/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-15 15:15 (Mb 5.6) ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE -22.5 -70.0    

11/15/2007     USGS ENS     2007-11-15 15:06 (Mw 6.8 ) ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE -22.9 -70.1    

[Soldier4Christ]

Earthquake strikes off Oregon Coast

An earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 occurred off the Oregon coast Monday.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey at the University of Washington, the epicenter was about 158 miles west of Bandon and happened at 12:32 p.m. It centered about 6 miles underground.

There were no immediate reports of anyone feeling the earthquake.

Jon Connolly, the seismology lab coordinator at the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network at the University of Washington in Seattle, says Monday morning's quake was not strong enough to trigger any sort of tsunami warning.

Distances from other Cities

    * 160 miles from Port Orford
    * 206 miles from Crescent City, Calif.
    * 279 miles from Portland

Earthquake Classifications

    * Magnitude 0 - 3 = Micro
    * Magnitude 3 - 3.9 = Minor
    * Magnitude 4 - 4.9 = Light
    * Magnitude 5 - 5.9 = Moderate
    * Magnitude 6 - 6.9 = Strong
    * Magnitude 7 - 7.9 = Major
    * Magnitude 8 or higher = Great