Are there more earthquakes, or are we just noticing them more?

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Transcript

00:00We got an earthquake.

00:05A little cabin shaking back and forth.

00:07A 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocks Alaska the morning of December 6th.

00:12More than 20 aftershocks followed.

00:15Two days later, a quake measuring 7.5 in Japan generates massive tsunamis.

00:21Earthquakes are not uncommon along what's referred to as the ring of fire.

00:24But should we all be worried?

00:26Typically, we think of earthquakes of magnitude 5 and greater as being hazardous.

00:33And in any given year in the continental United States, there's about 10 of those sized magnitude earthquakes.

00:39According to the United States Geological Survey, there are approximately 20,000 earthquakes around the globe each year.

00:46That is approximately 55 per day.

00:49In 2025, we're actually sitting at approximately 1,800 quakes for the year.

00:54But what causes them?

00:55In any given year, you're sort of pulling that rubber band apart slowly.

00:59And eventually, you get to the point where the rubber band doesn't move anymore or won't stretch anymore.

01:04An earthquake happens right at the point where you would stretch it just a little bit more and that rubber band would break.

01:10In parts of the world with active fault lines like Alaska and Japan, building codes are often designed to withstand seismic movement.

01:17But that's not true everywhere.

01:19To feel an earthquake, often you feel a little dizzy.

01:21You're not quite sure what's going on because the seismic waves are whizzing by so fast.

01:25If you're inside when an earthquake occurs, drop to the ground, cover your head, and hold on to a sturdy structure.

01:33Try to avoid areas near glass windows and don't use building elevators.

01:37If you're outside, stay away from buildings or trees that could fall.

01:41For Straight Arrow News, I'm Diane Duanez.