MODERATE QUAKES OFF OREGON AND IN OKLAHOMA RELATED TO FULL MOON

 

EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY FOR AUGUST 16, 2019

 

The strongest earthquake in the U.S. or Canada today was an M 5.4 off the coast of Oregon. NEIC reported it may have been felt lightly in Oregon at Eugene and Medford and in Seattle, Washington. A foreshock to the southeast of the M 5.4 occurred earlier in the day near local solar midnight and may have been promoted by strong tidal stresses associated with the full moon. The last event with M>=3.9 near the foreshock occurred a month ago on July 17, 2019 and prior to that as an M 4.1 on June 26, 2019.  Both the event in June and July occurred with the full moon as noted at the time:

 

"It was also promoted by the full moon as noted in the previous summary" (July 18, 2019)

 

Forecast 117842 had expected today's event within about 100 km of the epicenter was likely around August 14.

 

O: 16AUG2019 07:27:00  43.1N  126.6W mb=3.8  EMSC   OFF COAST OF OREGON          

O: 16AUG2019 07:27:01  43.4N  126.9W MB=3.9  ECAN Eugene, Oregon, USA   

P: 10AUG2019 117842    43.9N  128.4W 3.0-4.3 CAAAA  Off Coast of Oregon        

 

The mainshock of M 5.4 about 250 km northwest of the foreshock was the strongest in this region since an M 5.9 on June 1, 2015. Forecasts 118067 had expected today's earthquake was likely within about 50 km of the epicenter around August 14. This earthquake is located at the third node (120 degrees) from the M 6.8 in Sumatra of August 2 and was probably promoted by energy from that source

 

O: 16AUG2019 15:23:19  44.3N  129.4W Mw=5.4  EMSC   OFF COAST OF OREGON          

P: 14AUG2019 118067    44.5N  129.8W 3.0-4.4 AAAAA  Off Coast of Oregon        

 

A moderate earthquake of M 4.7 was widely felt in Kansas today. NEIC reported this event was felt with maximum intensity VI in Hutchinson, Kansas and V in South Hutchinson and IV in Partridge, Nickerson, Buhler and II-III in Haven, Pretty Prairie, Arlington, Kansas. It was probably triggered by high tidal stresses associated with the full moon on August 15. Earthquakes in this section of the U.S. often occur within a couple of days of full and new moons as noted for example, in previous issues of this summary:

 

"As often occurs, Oklahoma saw enhanced seismic activity today with the strongest in a series of events of M 3.4. It is common for the area to become activated at times of full moons when tidal forces are strong and can affect ground water significantly. At M 3.4, this is the strongest earthquake within about 100 km of this epicenter since an M 3.4 on February 28 and an M 3.8 on February 26, 2019. Forecast 115982 had expected today's activity was likely within about 100 km of these epicenters around May 17." (May 16-17, 2019)

 

Today's earthquake of M 4.7 is the strongest in Kansas or Oklahoma since an M 5.0 on November 7, 2016 nearly three years ago. Forecasts 118042 and 118043 had expected today's activity was likely around August 16-17. This earthquake is located at 144 degrees from the M 6.8 in Sumatra of August 2 and was probably promoted by energy from that source.

 

O: 17AUG2019 06:21:03  38.0N   98.0W mb=2.0  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 13:43:06  38.0N   98.0W mb=2.7  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 17AUG2019 01:03:37  38.0N   98.0W mb=3.0  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 12:59:09  38.0N   98.0W mb=4.7  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 13:30:56  38.0N   98.1W mb=2.6  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 13:10:49  38.0N   98.1W mb=3.1  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 19:55:41  38.1N   97.9W mb=2.5  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 17AUG2019 05:23:48  38.1N   98.0W mb=2.1  EMSC   KANSAS                        

P: 16AUG2019 118043    37.0N   98.0W 2.0-4.1 AAAAA  Southern Plains            

P: 17AUG2019 118042    39.0N   99.0W 2.0-4.1 AAAAA  Southern Plains            

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.0 in Kansas  was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Kansas at Hutchinson and South Hutchinson, Osborne, Perry, and in Oklahoma at Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

 

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: 16AUG2019 10:55:07  37.9N   46.6E ML=4.3  EMSC   NORTHWESTERN IRAN            

P: 13AUG2019 118026    36.0N   46.0E 3.8-5.2 BBAAA  No. Iran                   

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.1 in Northwestern Iran  was felt with intensity IV in the area(s) of Northwestern Iran at Tebriz.

 

O: 16AUG2019 19:58:04  39.7N   77.0E mb=4.3  EMSC   SOUTHERN XINJIANG, CHINA     

P: 21AUG2019 118059    40.0N   78.0E 4.0-5.3 BAAAA  Kirgizstan/Xinjiang         

 

O: 16AUG2019 07:49:14  56.2N  164.8E mb=4.5  EMSC   KOMANDORSKIYE OSTROVA REGION 

P: 16AUG2019 118090    53.0N  170.0E 4.0-5.5 ACCAA  Near Islands               

 

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

 

INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES

 

O: 17AUG2019 04:00:21   1.6N  124.8E ML=4.1  EMSC   MINAHASA, SULAWESI, INDONESIA

P: 13AUG2019 117940     1.0N  126.0E 4.0-5.3 BAAAA  Mindanao, Philippines      

 

O: 16AUG2019 19:51:38   2.9N  126.7E ML=4.6  EMSC   MOLUCCA SEA                   

P: 14AUG2019 117939     3.0N  126.0E 4.0-5.3 AAAAA  Halmahera                  

 

O: 16AUG2019 06:59:43   4.9N   96.0E ML=4.0  EMSC   NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA  

P: 16AUG2019 117942     5.0N   93.0E 4.0-5.3 AACAA  Nicobar Islands            

 

O: 16AUG2019 17:01:31   6.9S  128.3E ML=4.2  EMSC   BANDA SEA                    

P: 17AUG2019 117946     6.0S  129.0E 4.0-5.3 AAAAA  Banda Sea                  

 

O: 17AUG2019 05:18:26   7.4S  106.1E ML=4.3  EMSC   JAVA, INDONESIA              

P: 13AUG2019 117959     9.0S  107.0E 4.0-5.3 BBAAA  So. of Java                

 

O: 17AUG2019 04:40:57   8.0S  124.0E ML=4.1  EMSC   KEPULAUAN ALOR, INDONESIA    

P: 18AUG2019 117951     8.0S  124.0E 4.0-5.3 AAAAA  Flores Island area         

 

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

 

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

 

O: 16AUG2019 13:51:49  15.0N   94.3W ML=4.0  EMSC   OFF COAST OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO 

P: 13AUG2019 117966    15.0N   95.0W 3.5-5.0 BAAAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 16AUG2019 21:30:18  16.7N   94.9W ML=4.5  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

P: 18AUG2019 117966    16.0N   94.0W 3.5-5.0 AAAAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 16AUG2019 17:42:34  16.7N   99.5W ML=4.1  EMSC   GUERRERO, MEXICO              

P: 20AUG2019 117984    16.0N  100.0W 3.5-5.1 BAAAA  Oaxaca, Mexico             

 

O: 16AUG2019 09:28:57  17.9N   68.2W Md=3.2  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION    

O: 16AUG2019 16:43:28  18.2N   68.6W Md=3.1  EMSC   MONA PASSAGE, DOMINICAN REPUBL

P: 21AUG2019 117985    19.0N   68.0W 3.4-4.9 BAAAA  Puerto Rico                

 

O: 16AUG2019 10:54:27  18.6N   65.0W Md=3.1  EMSC   VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION        

O: 16AUG2019 09:45:15  18.8N   64.5W Md=3.1  EMSC   VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION        

P: 14AUG2019 117973    18.0N   65.0W 3.0-4.8 AAAAA  Leeward Islands            

 

O: 16AUG2019 23:31:35  18.8N   70.4W ML=3.3  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC           

P: 21AUG2019 117985    19.0N   68.0W 3.4-4.9 BABAA  Puerto Rico                

 

O: 16AUG2019 07:53:36  25.0S   68.8W mb=4.4  EMSC   ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE           

P: 21AUG2019 118129    24.0S   69.0W 4.0-5.3 BAAAA  Coast No. Chile            

 

O: 17AUG2019 00:09:24  35.3S   71.0W mb=4.1  EMSC   MAULE, CHILE                 

P: 14AUG2019 118139    35.0S   71.0W 4.0-5.4 BAAAA  Central Chile              

 

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

 

AFRICA AND EUROPE

 

O: 17AUG2019 02:22:07  37.4N   20.4E mb=4.5  EMSC   IONIAN SEA                   

P: 21AUG2019 118023    37.0N   20.0E 3.0-4.4 BAAAA  No. Greece                 

 

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

 

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

 

O: 17AUG2019 05:26:35  21.0S  178.6W mb=4.6  EMSC   FIJI REGION                   

P: 14AUG2019 118136    23.0S  178.0W 4.0-5.3 BBAAA  Tonga Islands              

 

O: 16AUG2019 23:30:07  26.7S  175.8W Mw=5.0  EMSC   SOUTH OF TONGA               

P: 17AUG2019 118136    27.0S  176.0W 4.0-5.4 AAAAA  Tonga Islands              

 

OCEAN RIDGES

 

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

 

 

ZEALANDIA AND AUSTRALIA REGION

 

O: 16AUG2019 07:25:08  30.7S  179.7W mb=4.5  EMSC   KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION      

P: 18AUG2019 118141    30.0S  178.0W 4.0-5.3 AAAAA  No. Kermadec Islands       

P: 21AUG2019 118141    30.0S  179.0W 4.0-5.3 BAAAA  No. Kermadec Islands       

 

JAPAN AND KURIL ISLANDS

 

No earthquakes of M>=4 were located in Japan or the Kuril Islands today.

 

U.S./CANADA*

 

WESTERN U.S./CANADA

 

CALIFORNIA

 

O: 16AUG2019 21:14:29  31.8N  115.5W ML=3.0  EMSC   BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO      

P: 14AUG2019 118033    31.9N  116.3W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 16AUG2019 10:57:00  32.9N  116.3W Ml=2.1  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

O: 16AUG2019 12:29:55  33.0N  116.4W Ml=2.0  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 17AUG2019 118035    32.9N  115.6W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 16AUG2019 07:45:00  33.4N  116.3W Ml=2.0  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 11AUG2019 117807    34.1N  117.4W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 16AUG2019 08:57:32  34.2N  117.5W Ml=2.0  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 11AUG2019 117807    34.1N  117.4W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  So. California             

P: 20AUG2019 118036    34.1N  117.4W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 17AUG2019 02:10:23  36.1N  117.9W Ml=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 16AUG2019 18:14:25  35.7N  117.5W Ml=2.8  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 16AUG2019 16:35:53  36.1N  117.9W Ml=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 16AUG2019 15:43:32  35.7N  117.5W Ml=2.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 16AUG2019 12:00:27  35.4N  117.9W Ml=2.8  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 16AUG2019 11:27:27  36.2N  117.9W Ml=2.6  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 18AUG2019 118005    36.1N  118.1W 2.5-4.5 AAAAA  California/Nevada area     

 

ALASKA

 

O: 16AUG2019 15:14:26  58.0N  137.6W ML=3.1  EMSC   OFF COAST OF SOUTHEASTERN ALAS

O: 16AUG2019 15:31:58  58.1N  137.6W ML=3.0  EMSC   SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA          

P: 15AUG2019 118086    58.3N  138.5W 3.0-4.9 AAAAA  British Colombia           

 

O: 16AUG2019 14:53:25  61.5N  147.8W ml=3.4  EMSC   SOUTHERN ALASKA              

P: 19AUG2019 118104    62.7N  149.3W 3.2-4.9 BBAAA  Central Alaska             

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.4 in Southern Alaska  was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Southern Alaska at Palmer, Chugiak, Eagle River and Anchorage.

 

O: 16AUG2019 19:58:41  67.7N  163.5W ml=3.2  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA              

 

PACIFIC NORTHWESTERN U.S./WESTERN CANADA

 

O: 16AUG2019 07:27:00  43.1N  126.6W mb=3.8  EMSC   OFF COAST OF OREGON          

O: 16AUG2019 07:27:01  43.4N  126.9W MB=3.9  ECAN Eugene, Oregon, USA   

P: 10AUG2019 117842    43.9N  128.4W 3.0-4.3 CAAAA  Off Coast of Oregon         

 

O: 16AUG2019 15:23:19  44.3N  129.4W Mw=5.4  EMSC   OFF COAST OF OREGON          

P: 14AUG2019 118067    44.5N  129.8W 3.0-4.4 AAAAA  Off Coast of Oregon        

 

ROCKY MOUNTAINS REGION

 

O: 16AUG2019 09:35:19  31.7N  104.3W ML=3.0  EMSC   WESTERN TEXAS                

P: 11AUG2019 117802    31.4N  103.8W 2.0-3.9 BAAAA  SW U.S.A                   

 

EASTERN U.S./CANADA

 

O: 16AUG2019 12:36:11  35.1N   95.4W ML=2.2  EMSC   OKLAHOMA

O: 16AUG2019 17:43:46  35.1N   95.4W ML=2.6  EMSC   OKLAHOMA

O: 16AUG2019 20:11:36  36.3N   97.7W ML=2.0  EMSC   OKLAHOMA

O: 17AUG2019 03:24:59  36.8N   97.7W ML=2.3  EMSC   OKLAHOMA

O: 16AUG2019 13:28:23  34.8N   97.6W mb=2.6  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

P: 15AUG2019 118042    35.0N   96.0W 2.0-3.8 AAAAA  Southeast U.S.             

 

O: 17AUG2019 06:21:03  38.0N   98.0W mb=2.0  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 13:43:06  38.0N   98.0W mb=2.7  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 17AUG2019 01:03:37  38.0N   98.0W mb=3.0  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 12:59:09  38.0N   98.0W mb=4.7  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 13:30:56  38.0N   98.1W mb=2.6  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 13:10:49  38.0N   98.1W mb=3.1  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 16AUG2019 19:55:41  38.1N   97.9W mb=2.5  EMSC   KANSAS

O: 17AUG2019 05:23:48  38.1N   98.0W mb=2.1  EMSC   KANSAS                        

P: 16AUG2019 118043    37.0N   98.0W 2.0-4.1 AAAAA  Southern Plains            

P: 17AUG2019 118042    39.0N   99.0W 2.0-4.1 AAAAA  Southern Plains            

 

HAWAII

 

No earthquakes of M>=3 were located in Hawaii.