Earthquakes 2010 one-third More Frequent
June 30, 2010, Submitted by: Ken TweetPermalink
Earthquakes between magnitude 5.0 and 6.9 are still up and occurring 33 percent more frequently than average statistics so far during 2010 (133% of normal).
Earthquakes between magnitude 5.0 and 9.9 are occurring 25 percent more frequently than average statistics so far during 2010 (125% of normal).
The last time I analyzed the 2010 data (during the end of May), the overall frequency of occurrence was somewhat higher than this analysis. In other words, during the month of June the overall earthquake numbers have brought the percentages down a bit, although still above average as noted. We will see if the trend continues as the rest of 2010 plays out.
The data used in this analysis has been collected from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) going back to to the year 1900. I have averaged the number of earthquakes since 1900 in each magnitude range (5.0 to 5.9, 6.0 – 6.9, 7.0 to 7.9, and 8.0 to 9.9), and have also averaged the same data over the last 10 years. I then compared this data with the current earthquake statistics so far in 2010.
Earthquakes of magnitude 4.9 or less, were not analyzed for the following reasons.
- Low magnitude earthquake detection technologies of the early 1900’s were not what they were decades later, and certainly not as advanced as today
- Low magnitude detection technology improvement would skew the numbers as though they’ve increased significantly in more recent times
- They cause little or no damage
(Earthquakes above magnitude 4.9 were fairly easy to detect, even a century ago)
Earthquakes of magnitude 5 – 5.9 have increased by 27 percent (127% of normal) compared with same range of earthquakes over the last 10 years.
Earthquakes of magnitude 5 – 5.9 have increased by 49 percent (149% of normal) compared with same range of earthquakes since the year 1900.
Earthquakes of magnitude 6 – 6.9 have increased by 26 percent (126% of normal) compared with same range of earthquakes over the last 10 years.
Earthquakes of magnitude 6 – 6.9 have increased by 36 percent (136% of normal) compared with same range of earthquakes since the year 1900.
Earthquakes of magnitude 7 – 7.9 have increased by 39 percent (139% of normal) compared with same range of earthquakes over the last 10 years.
Earthquakes of magnitude 7 – 7.9 have increased by 22 percent (122% of normal) compared with same range of earthquakes since the year 1900.
Earthquakes of magnitude 8 – 9.9 have equaled the average of 1 (100% normal) compared with same range of earthquakes over the last 10 years.
Earthquakes of magnitude 8 – 9.9 have equaled the average of 1 (100% normal) compared with same range of earthquakes since the year 1900.
Magnitude 5.0 to 5.9 earthquake statistics through June, 2010
Magnitude 6.0 to 6.9 earthquake statistics through June, 2010
Magnitude 5.0 to 9.9 worldwide statistics through June, 2010
World map of 30-day earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater during the month of June, 2010
Read the May, 2010 earthquake statistical report (151 percent of normal)
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Are earthquakes happening more?
Since January of this year until now (March), 2012, the magnitude 5 range earthquakes are above statistical averages (data since 1990). The higher magnitude earthquakes are currently within average (as of January). Search my site for year-end earthquake statistics of 2010 and 2011 to see how those years fared. We’ll see how the rest of 2012 goes.