ENHANCED SEISMICITY CONTINUES IN MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES

 

EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

 

The strongest earthquakes in the world today occurred near 120 degrees East longitude with an M 5.5 in Mindanao followed by several moderate aftershocks.  This activity is probably related to tidal stresses which maximized in this longitude zone with the full moon of September 14 as noted in previous summaries:

 

"The full moon arrives at 04:33 UT on September 14. Longitudes which are anti-solar at this time (at local solar midnight) are located near 67 West longitude while those which are sub-solar are near 113 East longitude. The most likely tidal trigger for this alignment is in Indonesia, the Philippines and western Japan in the east and in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the western coast of South America in the west. A strong earthquake in South America or Indonesia is likely in the next five days. While these are the most likely areas to see tidal triggering at this time, such seismic promotion can occur in many areas. A strong to major earthquake related to tidal triggering is considered likely in mid-September.  Such earthquakes are most likely near local solar noon and local solar midnight when tidal stresses are maximized in the earth." (September 13-16, 2019)

 

This appears to be continuing activity following events of M 5.5-5.6 on September 10, August 2 and July 9,, 2019. The last of significantly larger magnitude within about 200 km of this epicenter was an M 6.1 on May 31, 2019.

Forecast 118587 had expected today's activity in this region was likely around September 16-18.

 

O: 18SEP2019 12:04:03   5.4N  126.3E mb=4.7  EMSC   MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES        

O: 18SEP2019 10:42:02   5.4N  126.4E ML=4.3  EMSC   MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES        

O: 18SEP2019 07:00:58   5.5N  126.6E Mw=5.5  EMSC   MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES        

P: 16SEP2019 118587     7.0N  127.0E 4.0-5.3 ABAAA  Halmahera                  

P: 18SEP2019 118587     4.0N  126.0E 4.0-5.3 ABAAA  Mindanao, Philippines      

 

Seismicity at the opposite longitude (around 65W) also continued at elevated

levels today with an M 4.5 in the Dominican Republic. NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.5 in the Dominican Republic was felt with intensity V in Cabrera Maria Trinidad and IV in Arroyo Salado Maria, Dominican Republic and II-III in the area(s) of the Dominican Republic at Nagua, Santo Domingo and El Carril.  This area has been active over the past several days with the last events of M>=4.5 on July 28, 2019 with M 4.7 about 150 km southeast of today's epicenter. Forecast 118627 had expected today's activity was likely around September 20.

 

O: 18SEP2019 19:34:52  19.5N   69.9W mb=4.5  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC           

P: 20SEP2019 118627    20.0N   69.0W 3.0-4.4 AAAAA  Bahamas/No. Caribbean       

 

The strongest earthquake in the U.S. or Canada today was an M 3.5 in the central Andreanof Islands, Aleutians, Alaska. It was not reported felt in this active, but remote, area. Earthquake of M>=3.5 are common in this area and two events of M>5.2 have hit the area in the past week. Forecast 118720 had expected today's event was likely around September 20.

 

O: 18SEP2019 14:28:00  51.6N  175.3W ml=3.5  EMSC   ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS

P: 20SEP2019 118720    50.8N  175.8W 3.5-4.9 AAAAA  Andreanoff Isls, Aleutians 

 

The activity in the Andreanof Islands followed a near-antipodal earthquake of

M 5.4 in the Bouvet Island region of the South Atlantic. Today's event was not reported felt in this remote oceanic area. Antipodal events often occur when a moderately strong to strong quake occurs in the Bouvet Island area.  The last earthquake in the Bouvet Island region within about 250 km of this epicenter with M>=5.4 occurred January 28, 2018 with M 6.6. Today's event occurred within half an hour of local solar midnight and was probably promoted by tidal stresses associated with the full moon.

 

O: 18SEP2019 11:54:58  54.3S    7.9E mb=5.4  EMSC   BOUVET ISLAND REGION         

 

An M 3.1 in the Parkfield, California area occurred today.  NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.1 in Central California was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of San Miguel and Atascadero, Central California. The last earthquake of M>=3.1 in the Parkfield area was an M 3.1 on July 24, 2019 and the last of larger magnitude was an M 3.5 on April 5, 2019. The infamous 22-year cycle for large repeating events in the Parkfield area - supposedly in 1966, 1988, 2010 is nowhere near complete (unless this is an 11-year periodicity) at this point so a strong quake is unlikely in this area in the near future. Forecast 118654 had expected today's activity around September 19.

 

O: 18SEP2019 21:45:05  35.9N  120.5W ML=3.1  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

O: 18SEP2019 05:08:42  35.6N  120.8W Md=2.2  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 19SEP2019 118645    36.2N  120.8W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  Central California         

 

A moderate earthquake of M 4.1 off the western coast of Mexico in the Revilla Gigedo Islands today may have been promoted by a tropical cyclone. A series of storms is currently raging south of Mexico. The largest of these, Hurricane Lorena passed near this epicenter today. Forecast 118629 expected today's event within about 100 km was likely around September 21.

 

"Hurricane Lorena continued south of Michoacan, Mexico today with winds up to 80 kts.  It may impact western Mexico later in the week enhancing seismicity in the regions of Michoacan, Jalisco and the Gulf of California.." (September 18-19, 2019)

 

O: 18SEP2019 07:38:43  19.5N  108.0W ML=4.1  EMSC   REVILLA GIGEDO ISLANDS REGION

P: 21SEP2019 118629    20.0N  109.0W 3.5-4.8 BAAAA  Gulf of California         

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

 

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

 

INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES

 

O: 18SEP2019 07:20:59   2.0S  122.6E ML=4.2  EMSC   SULAWESI, INDONESIA          

P: 17SEP2019 118602     2.0S  124.0E 4.0-5.3 AABAA  Sulawesi area              

 

O: 19SEP2019 02:50:38   4.2S  127.6E mb=4.5  EMSC   BANDA SEA                    

P: 20SEP2019 118591     6.0S  128.0E 4.0-5.4 ABAAA  Banda Sea                  

 

O: 18SEP2019 12:04:03   5.4N  126.3E mb=4.7  EMSC   MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES        

O: 18SEP2019 10:42:02   5.4N  126.4E ML=4.3  EMSC   MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES        

O: 18SEP2019 07:00:58   5.5N  126.6E Mw=5.5  EMSC   MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES        

P: 16SEP2019 118587     7.0N  127.0E 4.0-5.3 ABAAA  Halmahera                  

P: 18SEP2019 118587     4.0N  126.0E 4.0-5.3 ABAAA  Mindanao, Philippines      

 

O: 18SEP2019 14:39:38   8.4S  121.2E ML=4.1  EMSC   FLORES REGION, INDONESIA     

P: 21SEP2019 118593     9.0S  124.0E 4.0-5.3 BACAA  Flores Island area         

 

 

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

 

O: 18SEP2019 13:13:54  15.8S   74.3W mb=4.8  EMSC   NEAR COAST OF SOUTHERN PERU  

P: 18SEP2019 118752    15.0S   76.0W 4.0-5.4 AABAA  Central Peru               

 

O: 18SEP2019 11:23:28   9.4N   84.0W mb=4.7  EMSC   COSTA RICA                   

P: 17SEP2019 118585     8.0N   83.0W 3.5-4.8 ABAAA  Costa Rica                 

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.7 in Costa Rica  was felt with intensity IV in Quepos and Palmares, Costa Rica and II-III in the area(s) of Costa Rica atSan Isidro, Paraiso, Concepcion, Escazu, Purral, San Juan, Capellades and Colon.

 

O: 18SEP2019 21:03:40  16.1N   97.5W ML=4.1  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

P: 19SEP2019 118622    15.0N   97.0W 3.5-5.1 ABAAA  Oaxaca, Mexico              

 

O: 18SEP2019 06:55:06  17.2N  100.5W ML=4.2  EMSC   GUERRERO, MEXICO             

P: 14SEP2019 118623    17.0N  100.0W 3.5-5.2 BAAAA  Oaxaca, Mexico             

 

O: 18SEP2019 22:37:43  19.2N   72.9W ML=3.5  EMSC   HAITI REGION                 

O: 18SEP2019 21:51:12  19.2N   73.1W ML=3.3  EMSC   HAITI REGION                 

P: 17SEP2019 118627    20.0N   72.0W 3.0-4.3 AAAAA  Bahamas/No. Caribbean      

 

O: 18SEP2019 19:34:52  19.5N   69.9W mb=4.5  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC           

P: 20SEP2019 118627    20.0N   69.0W 3.0-4.4 AAAAA  Bahamas/No. Caribbean      

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.5 in the Dominican Republic was felt with intensity V in Cabrera Maria Trinidad and IV in Arroyo Salado Maria, Dominican Republic and II-III in the area(s) of the Dominican Republic at Nagua, Santo Domingo and El Carril.

 

O: 18SEP2019 19:30:07  19.5N   70.4W ML=3.3  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC           

P: 19SEP2019 118625    19.0N   71.0W 3.4-4.9 AAAAA  Puerto Rico                

 

O: 18SEP2019 07:38:43  19.5N  108.0W ML=4.1  EMSC   REVILLA GIGEDO ISLANDS REGION

P: 21SEP2019 118629    20.0N  109.0W 3.5-4.8 BAAAA  Gulf of California         

 

O: 18SEP2019 08:12:09  19.8N   73.1W ML=3.2  EMSC   HAITI REGION                 

P: 19SEP2019 118625    19.0N   71.0W 3.4-4.9 AABAA  Puerto Rico                

 

O: 18SEP2019 20:30:01  26.4N  105.5W ML=4.0  EMSC   DURANGO, MEXICO              

 

O: 19SEP2019 01:58:44  30.7S   71.7W ML=4.3  EMSC   OFFSHORE COQUIMBO, CHILE     

P: 17SEP2019 118777    31.0S   69.0W 4.0-5.6 AABAA  Central Chile              

 

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

 

AFRICA AND EUROPE

 

O: 18SEP2019 13:38:52  37.1N    5.3W ML=3.5  EMSC   SPAIN                        

P: 13SEP2019 118655    36.0N    4.0W 3.5-5.0 BBAAA  Morocco/Spain              

 

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

 

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

 

O: 18SEP2019 16:10:17   9.9S  150.3E mb=5.1  EMSC   EASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G

P: 17SEP2019 118596     5.0S  150.0E 4.0-5.4 ACAAA  New Ireland                

 

O: 18SEP2019 14:46:25  10.6S  152.4E Mw=5.2  EMSC   D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS REGION

P: 16SEP2019 118596     6.0S  153.0E 4.0-5.4 ACAAA  New Britain                

 

O: 18SEP2019 08:48:17  17.6S  178.7W mb=4.6  EMSC   FIJI REGION                  

P: 21SEP2019 118761    18.0S  178.0W 4.0-5.3 BAAAA  Tonga Islands              

 

O: 18SEP2019 20:54:05  18.1S  174.7W mb=4.8  EMSC   TONGA                        

P: 20SEP2019 118761    19.0S  173.0W 4.0-5.5 AABAA  Tonga Islands              

 

OCEAN RIDGES

 

O: 18SEP2019 11:54:58  54.3S    7.9E mb=5.4  EMSC   BOUVET ISLAND REGION         

 

 

ZEALANDIA AND AUSTRALIA REGION

 

O: 19SEP2019 00:35:39  38.7S  175.8E mb=4.2  EMSC   NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND  

O: 19SEP2019 00:35:41  38.7S  175.9E ML=4.3  GEONET Felt with moderate intensity

P: 19SEP2019 118780    38.0S  176.0E 3.0-4.6 AAAAA  North Island, N.Z.         

 

GEONET reported this earthquake was felt with moderate intensity northeast of Okahune and in southwestern North Island and northern South Island. Light to moderate intensity was reported throughout much of southern and western North Island and northern South Island. More than 84 people reported feeling this earthquake with 66 reports of weak intensity; 16 of light intensity; 1 with moderate intensity; 1 with strong intensity; and 0 of severe intensity and 0 of extreme shaking.

 

JAPAN AND KURIL ISLANDS

 

O: 18SEP2019 23:49:26  36.4N  140.8E mb=4.5  EMSC   NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAP

P: 14SEP2019 118662    36.0N  140.0E 4.0-5.3 BAAAA  Off East Coast Honshu      

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.7 in Eastern Honshu, Japan  was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Naka, Ibaraki, Japan.

 

O: 18SEP2019 15:22:34  44.5N  147.0E mb=4.8  EMSC   KURIL ISLANDS                

P: 18SEP2019 118695    44.0N  149.0E 3.5-5.3 AABAA  Hokkaido, Japan            

 

U.S./CANADA*

 

WESTERN U.S./CANADA

 

CALIFORNIA

 

O: 19SEP2019 06:46:22  35.6N  117.4W Ml=2.6  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 16SEP2019 118675    35.7N  117.4W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 18SEP2019 10:49:46  35.9N  118.3W Ml=2.1  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 17SEP2019 118638    36.2N  117.9W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  California/Nevada area      

P: 21SEP2019 118675    35.9N  117.7W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  So. California             

 

O: 18SEP2019 21:45:05  35.9N  120.5W ML=3.1  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

O: 18SEP2019 05:08:42  35.6N  120.8W Md=2.2  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 19SEP2019 118645    36.2N  120.8W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  Central California         

 

O: 18SEP2019 16:43:59  38.8N  122.8W Md=2.5  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

O: 18SEP2019 19:27:33  38.8N  122.8W Md=2.9  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 16SEP2019 118647    38.8N  122.8W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  Central California         

 

O: 19SEP2019 06:42:07  39.6N  116.6W ml=2.6  EMSC   NEVADA                       

P: 16SEP2019 118691    40.0N  117.9W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  California/Nevada area     

P: 21SEP2019 118644    39.9N  118.4W 2.5-4.3 AABAA  California/Nevada area     

 

O: 19SEP2019 06:26:00  40.0N  120.7W Md=2.2  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 17SEP2019 118648    39.4N  120.5W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  Central California         

 

O: 18SEP2019 17:23:56  40.4N  124.0W Ml=2.8  EMSC   NORTHERN CALIFORNIA          

P: 20SEP2019 118705    40.2N  124.2W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA  Off Coast of No. Calif     

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 2.8 in Northern California was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of California at Scotia, Ferndale, Garberville, Whitethorn, Eureka.

 

 

ALASKA

 

O: 18SEP2019 14:28:00  51.6N  175.3W ml=3.5  EMSC   ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS

P: 20SEP2019 118720    50.8N  175.8W 3.5-4.9 AAAAA  Andreanoff Isls, Aleutians 

 

O: 19SEP2019 01:49:55  57.2N  157.7W ml=3.1  EMSC   ALASKA PENINSULA             

P: 17SEP2019 118718    54.7N  156.9W 3.5-4.9 ACAAA  Alaska Peninsula           

 

PACIFIC NORTHWESTERN U.S./WESTERN CANADA

 

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

 

ROCKY MOUNTAINS REGION

 

O: 18SEP2019 16:57:30  37.9N  112.5W ML=2.6  EMSC   UTAH                         

O: 18SEP2019 13:47:28  37.9N  112.5W Ml=2.1  EMSC   UTAH                         

O: 18SEP2019 13:56:49  37.9N  112.5W Ml=2.1  EMSC   UTAH                          

P: 15SEP2019 118686    37.0N  111.8W 2.0-3.9 BAAAA  Utah area                  

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 2.6 in Utah was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Panguitch, Utah.

 

EASTERN U.S./CANADA

 

O: 19SEP2019 05:30:36  34.4N   97.5W ML=2.1  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

O: 18SEP2019 18:48:20  35.1N   95.3W ML=2.3  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

O: 18SEP2019 22:52:54  35.3N   97.9W ML=2.1  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

P: 21SEP2019 118680    36.0N   97.0W 2.0-3.8 ABAAA  Southern Plains            

 

O: 19SEP2019 06:10:29  35.3N   97.9W mb=2.2  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

O: 18SEP2019 22:23:38  35.8N   98.1W ML=2.3  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

O: 19SEP2019 05:04:14  36.4N   98.2W ML=2.0  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

P: 17SEP2019 118681    36.0N   98.0W 2.0-3.8 AAAAA  Southern Plains            

 

O: 18SEP2019 08:27:29  45.8N   77.1W MB=1.8  ECAN Pembroke, ON                   

P: 21SEP2019 118702    43.0N   77.0W 2.0-3.8 BCAAA  New York State             

 

O: 18SEP2019 08:02:32  44.7N   65.2W MB=1.6  ECAN Bridgetown, NS                 

P: 17SEP2019 118697    44.0N   68.0W 2.0-3.8 AABAA  Maine                      

 

HAWAII

 

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