TS SOULIK TRIGGERS TWO LARGE VOLCANO ISLANDS EARTHQUAKES

 

EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY FOR AUGUST 16, 2018

 

A pair of strong earthquakes in the Volcano Islands of M 6.0 and 6.3-6.4 today were likely triggered by the passage of Typhoon Soulik over the epicenter today. Typhoon Soulik has winds up to 80 kts. This storm is expected to pass to the northwest over the next several days reaching Kyushu, Japan around August 21.  This is a classic example of weather-related seismic triggering. Several strong storms have battered the Volcano Islands in recent days, the last was TS Leepi which passed over these epicenters August 12. As noted in this summary at the time stresses from this storm probably were instrumental in enhancing today's activity in the area:

 

"TS Leepi (TD 19W) continued today over the Volcano Islands with winds up to 075 kts. It is expected to track to the north through early August and not to make landfall reaching the northern Ryukyu Islands around August 15.  Seismicity in the Volcano and northern Marianas is expected to be enhanced by Leepi through August 14." (August 11-14, 2018)

 

A month ago a pair of foreshocks in the Volcano Islands were apparently triggered by the passage of Super-Typhoon Maria as noted at the time in this summary:

 

"Two moderate earthquakes of M 5.0 and 5.1 occurred in the Volcano Islands near Iwo Jima, Japan today. They were not reported felt but illustrate the relation between strong weather systems and subsequent seismicity. In this summary in previous issues the Volcano Islands had been emphasized as a possible site of enhanced seismicity with the passage of Super-Typhoon Maria as:

 

"Super-Typhoon Maria (TS 10W) continued today over Guam with winds up to 150 kts. It is expected to track to the northwest passing over Guam as a typhoon on

July 5-6. This storm could trigger a moderate to large quake in the region of Guam and the southern Mariana Islands which are currently seeing seismicity at moderately high levels." (July 7-9, 2018) (July 12, 2018)

 

The last earthquake of M>=6.3 in the Volcano Islands within about 200 km of today's epicenters occurred as an M 7.5 on September 18, 2007 and prior to that on July 3, 2001. Earthquakes also hit the region with M 7.6 on March 28, 2000 and January 1, 1998 (M 6.6). Forecast 118919 had expected today's activity was likely in the Volcano Islands around August 16.

 

O: 16AUG2018 18:21:31  23.4N  143.4E Mw=6.3  EMSC   VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

O: 16AUG2018 18:22:53  23.4N  143.4E mb=6.0  EMSC   VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

O: 16AUG2018 18:49:08  23.4N  143.8E mb=4.9  EMSC   VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

P: 16AUG2018 118919    23.0N  144.0E 4.0-5.6 AAAAA  Volcano Islands            

 

The strongest earthquake in the U.S. or Canada today was an M 5.2 aftershock in the western Andreanof Islands following the M 6.6 there yesterday. It was not reported felt in this remote region. Forecast 119017 had expected today's quake within about 100 km of this epicenter around August 16.

 

O: 16AUG2018 13:27:58  51.1N  177.6W mb=4.3  EMSC   ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS

O: 17AUG2018 04:35:30  51.3N  178.1W Mw=5.2  EMSC   ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS

P: 16AUG2018 119017    51.0N  179.9W 3.5-5.1 AABAA  Andreanoff Isls, Aleutians 

 

An earthquake of M 5.3 in southern Italy today continued the moderate quakes in that area. No major damage has been associated with these events over the past several days. Today's M 5.3 was reported in Abruzzen, Italy at Sal Salvo, and San Vito Chietino and IV in Torrevecchia Teatina, Lentella, Campomarino, Casalbordino, with intensity II-III in Agnone, Molise; San Severo, Apulien, and in Abruzzen at Campo de Giove and Pescara and in general within about 150 km of the epicenter. Forecast 118984 had expected this activity within about 25 km of this epicenter was likely between August 15 and 19.

 

O: 16AUG2018 20:22:35  41.8N   14.8E mb=4.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN ITALY               

O: 16AUG2018 19:28:38  41.9N   14.8E ML=3.6  EMSC   SOUTHERN ITALY               

O: 16AUG2018 18:19:06  41.9N   14.8E Mw=5.3  EMSC   SOUTHERN ITALY                

P: 15AUG2018 118984    43.0N   14.0E 3.0-5.2 ABAAA  Italy                      

P: 19AUG2018 118984    42.0N   15.0E 3.0-4.9 BAAAA  Italy                      

OTHER GLOBAL EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY

 

For most events there are two listings. The first line is the observed event starting with "O:" for Observed. There follows the date, month and year, the time in UT hours:minutes:seconds, the latitude and longitude, the given magnitude and the reporting agency followed by the geographic location. The second line starts with "P:" This is the forecast event as forecast in our summaries normally more than a month in advance. Magnitudes may vary in response to updated seismic watches and daily variations due to tidal and other influences. This line has the forecast date, month and year, the forecast number, latitude, longitude and forecast magnitude range.  This is followed by a comparison between the forecast and the event. The comparison includes letters A-D. The first is number of days difference from predicted (A:up to 2, B3-5; C:6-10; D:more than 10), Difference in latitude (A:up to 1 degree; B:1-2 degrees; C:2-4 degrees; D:more than 4 degrees); longitude (same comparison as with latitude); magnitude (A: within forecast range; B: higher than forecast range; C: lower than forecast range; D: no comparison possible). The last letter is a stand in for a future comparison which needs to be done statistically after a large number of forecasts have been made. In previous data, an excellent match is generally AAAAA; a good match as one or two B's; a fair match has several B's and C's and a poor match is one which contains a number of C's or D's. 

 

ASIA

 

O: 16AUG2018 06:50:11  16.1N   96.5E mb=4.3  EMSC   NEAR SOUTH COAST OF MYANMAR  

P: 18AUG2018 118878    17.0N   94.0E 4.0-5.4 AABAA  Andaman Islands             

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.3 in Myanmar was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Rangoon, Myanmar at Rangoon and Syriam.

 

O: 16AUG2018 11:55:19  23.9N   94.8E mb=4.8  EMSC   MYANMAR                      

P: 13AUG2018 118911    24.0N   94.0E 4.0-5.4 BAAAA  Myanmar                    

 

O: 16AUG2018 06:41:51  36.9N   55.3E mb=4.4  EMSC   NORTHERN IRAN                

P: 15AUG2018 118986    40.0N   55.0E 4.0-5.6 ACAAA  Kazakhstan                 

 

No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in Asia today.

 

INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES

 

O: 16AUG2018 08:12:02   6.7N   92.6E mb=4.9  EMSC   NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION

P: 13AUG2018 118850     7.0N   92.0E 4.0-5.6 BAAAA  Nicobar Islands            

 

No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in Indonesia or the Philippines today.

 

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

 

O: 16AUG2018 07:45:07   0.7S   91.1W ML=3.3  EMSC   GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR   

P: 15AUG2018 118853     1.0S   91.0W 4.0-5.4 AAAAA  Galapagos                   

 

O: 16AUG2018 19:09:16   2.8S   81.5W mb=4.6  EMSC   NEAR COAST OF ECUADOR        

P: 19AUG2018 118858     1.0S   81.0W 4.0-5.4 BBAAA  Ecuador                    

 

O: 17AUG2018 00:03:39  13.3N   89.8W mb=4.3  EMSC   OFFSHORE EL SALVADOR          

P: 17AUG2018 118884    13.0N   90.0W 3.5-5.1 AAAAA  Guatemala                  

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.3 in El Salvador was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of El Salvador at Concepcion de Ataco, Ahuachapan.

 

O: 17AUG2018 06:14:11  14.7N   94.2W ML=4.1  EMSC   OFF COAST OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO 

P: 16AUG2018 118880    14.0N   93.0W 3.5-5.2 AAAAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 17AUG2018 03:42:48  15.1N   60.5W ML=4.1  EMSC   MARTINIQUE REGION, WINDWARD IS

P: 14AUG2018 118886    17.0N   61.0W 3.0-5.0 BBAAA  Leeward Islands            

 

O: 16AUG2018 17:33:47  15.3N   94.5W ML=4.2  EMSC   OFF COAST OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO 

P: 17AUG2018 118881    16.0N   95.0W 3.5-5.3 AAAAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 16AUG2018 17:25:00  16.2N   98.1W ML=4.2  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

P: 11AUG2018 118625    17.0N   99.0W 3.5-5.3 GAAAA  Oaxaca, Mexico             

 

O: 17AUG2018 01:32:23  16.5N   95.2W ML=4.1  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

O: 16AUG2018 08:15:27  16.0N   95.2W ML=4.0  EMSC   OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO      

P: 17AUG2018 118881    16.0N   95.0W 3.5-5.3 AAAAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 16AUG2018 20:59:06  17.9N   65.6W MD=3.1  EMSC   PUERTO RICO REGION           

P: 16AUG2018 118899    19.0N   66.0W 3.4-5.1 ABAAA  Puerto Rico                

 

No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in Central or South America today.

 

AFRICA AND EUROPE

 

O: 16AUG2018 20:22:35  41.8N   14.8E mb=4.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN ITALY               

O: 16AUG2018 19:28:38  41.9N   14.8E ML=3.6  EMSC   SOUTHERN ITALY               

O: 16AUG2018 18:19:06  41.9N   14.8E Mw=5.3  EMSC   SOUTHERN ITALY               

P: 15AUG2018 118984    43.0N   14.0E 3.0-5.2 ABAAA  Italy                      

P: 19AUG2018 118984    42.0N   15.0E 3.0-4.9 BAAAA  Italy                      

 

O: 16AUG2018 16:24:09  63.9N   19.2W ML=3.8  EMSC   ICELAND                      

O: 16AUG2018 15:05:53  64.7N   17.5W ML=3.5  EMSC   ICELAND                      

P: 14AUG2018 119042    65.0N   17.0W 3.0-4.4 AAAAA  Iceland area               

 

No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in Europe today.

 

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

 

O: 17AUG2018 02:51:12   5.8S  152.7E mb=5.1  EMSC   NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.   

O: 17AUG2018 00:50:57   6.5S  153.9E mb=4.3  EMSC   NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.   

P: 19AUG2018 118862     4.0S  153.0E 4.0-5.6 ABAAA  New Britain                

 

OCEAN RIDGES

 

O: 16AUG2018 12:43:22  40.9S   91.7W ML=4.5  EMSC   WEST CHILE RISE              

P: 17AUG2018 119088    41.0S   91.0W 4.0-5.6 AAAAA  Chile Rise                 

 

O: 16AUG2018 16:08:49  56.6S   25.5W mb=4.9  EMSC   SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION

P: 19AUG2018 119097    58.0S   26.0W 4.0-5.8 BBAAA  So. Sandwich Islands       

 

No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported on Ocean Ridges today.

 

 

ZEALANDIA AND AUSTRALIA REGION

 

No earthquakes of M>=4 were recorded in the regions of Zealandia or Australia

today. GeoNet did not report any felt events in the area.

 

JAPAN AND KURIL ISLANDS

 

O: 16AUG2018 18:21:31  23.4N  143.4E Mw=6.3  EMSC   VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

O: 16AUG2018 18:22:53  23.4N  143.4E mb=6.0  EMSC   VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

O: 16AUG2018 18:49:08  23.4N  143.8E mb=4.9  EMSC   VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

P: 16AUG2018 118919    23.0N  144.0E 4.0-5.6 AAAAA  Volcano Islands            

 

O: 16AUG2018 14:22:39  49.1N  147.8E mb=4.5  EMSC   SEA OF OKHOTSK               

P: 16AUG2018 119009    45.0N  149.0E 3.5-5.4 ACAAA  So. Kurils                 

 

U.S./CANADA*

 

WESTERN U.S./CANADA

 

CALIFORNIA

 

O: 17AUG2018 05:05:36  31.9N  115.8W ML=3.2  EMSC   BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO      

P: 14AUG2018 118954    32.0N  116.3W 2.5-4.9 BAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 17AUG2018 06:11:09  32.2N  118.7W ML=2.9  EMSC   OFF COAST OF CALIFORNIA       

P: 19AUG2018 118955    32.9N  117.6W 2.5-4.8 AAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 17AUG2018 02:50:21  33.5N  116.5W ML=2.9  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

O: 16AUG2018 15:22:01  33.5N  116.8W ML=2.0  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

O: 17AUG2018 05:31:04  33.5N  116.8W ML=2.7  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

O: 17AUG2018 02:19:10  33.6N  116.7W ML=2.1  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 17AUG2018 118956    33.4N  116.7W 2.5-4.8 AAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 17AUG2018 05:54:02  36.4N  119.7W Md=2.4  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 16AUG2018 118928    36.1N  120.1W 2.5-4.4 AAAAA  Central California         

 

O: 17AUG2018 02:48:12  36.8N  120.7W MD=2.1  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 19AUG2018 118928    36.2N  120.8W 2.5-4.4 AAAAA  Central California         

 

O: 16AUG2018 20:30:57  37.7N  121.9W MD=2.0  EMSC   SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIF.

O: 16AUG2018 08:20:32  37.8N  121.9W MD=2.3  EMSC   SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIF.

P: 17AUG2018 118930    37.7N  121.9W 2.5-4.4 AAAAA  Central California         

 

O: 16AUG2018 08:05:05  38.3N  114.4W ML=2.1  EMSC   NEVADA                       

P: 16AUG2018 118971    38.3N  112.2W 2.0-4.2 AABAA  Utah area                  

 

O: 16AUG2018 14:14:52  38.8N  122.8W Mw=3.3  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

O: 17AUG2018 00:53:25  38.8N  122.9W MD=2.2  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 18AUG2018 118931    38.9N  122.8W 2.5-4.6 AAAAA  Central California         

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.3 in the Geysers, California was felt with intensity IV in Calistoga and II-III in the area(s) of Middletown and Santa Rosa, California.

 

O: 16AUG2018 19:06:57  40.6N  124.1W MD=2.1  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 16AUG2018 119000    40.3N  124.7W 2.5-4.4 AAAAA  Off Coast of No. Calif     

 

 

ALASKA

 

O: 16AUG2018 13:27:58  51.1N  177.6W mb=4.3  EMSC   ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS

O: 17AUG2018 04:35:30  51.3N  178.1W Mw=5.2  EMSC   ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS

P: 16AUG2018 119017    51.0N  179.9W 3.5-5.1 AABAA  Andreanoff Isls, Aleutians 

 

O: 16AUG2018 18:14:09  55.4N  153.8W mb=4.4  EMSC   SOUTH OF ALASKA              

P: 18AUG2018 119014    54.8N  158.7W 3.5-4.9 AACAA  Alaska Peninsula           

 

O: 17AUG2018 04:00:06  69.5N  144.0W Ml=3.0  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 17AUG2018 05:33:47  69.5N  144.1W ML=3.0  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 22:34:33  69.5N  144.2W ML=3.5  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 19:57:22  69.5N  144.3W ML=3.4  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 07:22:40  69.5N  144.3W mb=4.5  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 17AUG2018 04:02:13  69.5N  144.4W Ml=3.1  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 06:32:31  69.5N  144.4W mb=4.7  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 14:07:54  69.5N  144.8W ML=3.1  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 20:51:39  69.6N  144.0W Ml=3.0  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 19:06:43  69.6N  144.1W Ml=3.2  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 11:42:17  69.6N  144.2W Ml=3.2  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 08:01:35  69.6N  144.3W ML=3.4  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 07:10:16  69.6N  144.4W ML=3.3  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 09:41:30  69.6N  144.6W Ml=3.2  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 06:21:40  69.6N  144.7W ML=3.3  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 22:07:21  69.6N  144.8W ML=3.7  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 12:52:49  69.6N  144.8W Ml=3.0  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 17AUG2018 05:44:10  69.7N  144.2W ML=3.4  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 16AUG2018 18:41:55  69.7N  144.6W Ml=3.1  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 17AUG2018 00:09:18  69.7N  145.1W ML=3.3  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA              

P:  9AUG2018 118790    67.0N  135.0W 2.5-3.9 CCBAA  Yukon Territory, Canada    

 

PACIFIC NORTHWESTERN U.S./WESTERN CANADA

 

O: 16AUG2018 13:08:06  46.5N  121.4W MD=2.4  EMSC   WASHINGTON                   

P: 12AUG2018 119012    46.9N  122.0W 2.0-4.1 BAAAA  Washington state, U.S.     

 

O: 16AUG2018 22:22:12  47.3N  122.4W MD=2.1  EMSC   SEATTLE-TACOMA AREA, WASHINGTO

P: 12AUG2018 119012    47.5N  121.8W 2.0-4.0 BAAAA  Washington state, U.S.     

 

No events of M>=2 were located in the northwestern U.S. or western Canada today.

 

ROCKY MOUNTAINS REGION

 

O: 16AUG2018 15:00:59  29.1N   97.6W mb=2.9  EMSC   SOUTHERN TEXAS               

 

O: 16AUG2018 18:36:01  37.5N  110.5W MD=2.6  EMSC   UTAH                          

P: 15AUG2018 118935    38.3N  108.9W 2.0-4.1 AAAAA  Colorado area              

 

O: 17AUG2018 02:43:31  46.9N  112.5W ML=2.0  EMSC   WESTERN MONTANA              

O: 16AUG2018 20:58:12  46.9N  112.5W ML=2.4  EMSC   WESTERN MONTANA              

P: 16AUG2018 118991    45.7N  112.1W 2.0-4.0 ABAAA  Montana/Idaho              

 

O: 17AUG2018 01:30:23  43.4N  111.0W ML=2.4  EMSC   WYOMING                      

P: 19AUG2018 119013    43.2N  111.0W 2.0-3.9 AAAAA  Yellowstone/Wyoming        

 

EASTERN U.S./CANADA

 

O: 16AUG2018 09:02:00  36.4N   89.6W md=1.5  ANSS   WNW of Tiptonville Tennessee 

P: 14AUG2018 118943    36.5N   89.6W 2.0-4.1 AAAAA  New Madrid area            

 

O: 16AUG2018 05:44:52  47.5N   70.1W ML=1.2  NRCA  CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE       

P: 13AUG2018 118988    47.0N   70.0W 2.0-4.2 BAAAA  Maine                      

 

HAWAII

 

O: 16AUG2018 05:39:03  19.3N  155.2W ML=3.0  EMSC   ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII     

P: 14AUG2018 118907    19.3N  155.2W 4.0-5.6 AAAAA  Hawaii area