- Earthquake summary

STRONG EARTHQUAKES CONTINUE NEAR VANCOUVER, CANADA

EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER 22, 2018

Strong earthquakes continued near Vancouver, British Columbia today with the largest an M 6.8. The strongest of these was an M 6.8 which may have been lightly felt in British Columbia at Port Hardy, Port MacNeil, Ucluelet, Campbell River, Courtenay, Powell River, Parksville, Nanaimo, Secheit, It was also reported lightly felt in the U.S. in Washington, Oregon, SE Alaska, and California, Aftershocks included an M 5.2 were felt along the northwest coast of the U.S. and in the Vancouver region of Canada. NEIC reported light shaking in British Columbia at Vancouver, Campbell River, Gibsons, and in the U.S. in Ferndale, Oak Harbor and Stanwood, Washington. The M 6.8 is the strongest earthquake within about 200 km of this epicenter southwest of Vancouver in at least 30 years. The last earthquakes in the area of M>=6.8 occurred December 17, 1980 and December 20, 1976 (both M 6.8). The last of greater magnitude was an M 7.0 on June 24, 1970. Forecast 120595 had expected this event was likely around October 21.

A detailed account of triggering factors related to these earthquakes was provided in the previous summary and included a series of hurricanes (Willa, Michael, Vicente) which probably enabled motions of North America to allow this activity in Vancouver to occur. The prime factor beyond this include tidal stresses associated with the full moon today. The main activity in this series occurred near local solar midnight, a time when tidal stresses are maximized.

O: 22OCT2018 16:26:57 48.8N 129.4W ML=5.1 NRCA 255 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 10:06:11 49.0N 129.9W ML=3.5 NRCA 259 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 10:00:05 49.0N 130.0W ML=3.5 NRCA 266 km WSW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 09:43:53 49.0N 129.9W ML=3.6 NRCA 263 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 09:25:56 49.0N 129.9W ML=3.7 NRCA 259 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 08:53:36 48.3N 128.9W ML=3.5 NRCA 241 km WSW of Tofino

O: 22OCT2018 08:43:17 49.0N 129.9W ML=4.3 NRCA 260 km WSW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 08:27:05 49.0N 129.7W ML=3.4 NRCA 254 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 08:08:57 48.5N 128.7W ML=3.5 NRCA 217 km WSW of Tofino

O: 22OCT2018 07:42:13 49.2N 130.3W ML=4.0 NRCA 266 km WSW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 07:13:03 48.8N 129.5W ML=4.3 NRCA 256 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 06:36:01 48.9N 130.3W ML=5.0 NRCA 284 km WSW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 06:30:02 49.0N 129.8W ML=4.8 NRCA 256 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 06:28:15 49.0N 130.1W ML=5.3 NRCA 268 km WSW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 06:22:45 49.1N 129.9W ML=6.5 NRCA 254 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 06:16:22 49.0N 129.9W ML=6.8 NRCA 259 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 06:05:53 49.1N 129.2W ML=4.2 NRCA 222 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 05:39:35 48.9N 129.8W ML=6.6 NRCA 262 km SW of Pt. Hardy

O: 22OCT2018 08:43:25 49.4N 129.0W mb=4.5 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGIO

O: 22OCT2018 16:27:00 49.0N 129.1W Mw=5.2 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 05:39:40 49.1N 129.6W Mw=6.6 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 07:13:08 49.2N 128.9W mb=4.3 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 06:16:28 49.3N 129.3W Mw=6.8 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 13:42:19 49.3N 129.4W mb=4.3 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 13:25:03 49.3N 129.6W mb=4.3 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 06:36:08 49.3N 129.7W mb=4.9 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 06:22:47 49.3N 129.8W Mw=6.5 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 13:59:58 49.3N 129.8W mb=4.7 EMSC VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

P: 21OCT2018 120595 49.9N 130.2W 2.8-5.0 AAAAA Vancouver Island area

It was reported in the previous issue of this summary that strong promotion of the Vancouver events was probably provided by the M 7.5 in Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia where the last major earthquake in the world occurred on September 28, 2018. This epicenter is at 103 degrees from Vancouver and energy concentrated on the surface may have enhanced the occurrence of today's events (see previous issue for more details). As expected a moderate earthquake of M 5.1-5.2 hit Sulawesi shortly after the major Vancouver events. The last aftershock of the Sulawesi quake of September 28 with larger magnitude was an M 5.7 on September 28. Earthquakes of M 5.1 have occurred on October 1 and October 8. This is a typical case of seismic ping-pong as described in the previous issue of this summary. BMG reported this earthquake of M 5.2 was felt with intensity III in Poso; II-III in Palu, Mamuuju, Parigi, Tentena and II in Masamba and Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

O: 22OCT2018 16:13:12 1.7S 120.1E mb=4.7 EMSC SULAWESI, INDONESIA

O: 22OCT2018 16:07:47 1.7S 120.2E Mw=5.1 EMSC SULAWESI, INDONESIA

O: 22OCT2018 16:07:49 01.6S 120.1E MS=5.2 BMG Felt with intensity III

P: 19OCT2018 120445 1.0N 120.0E 4.0-5.6 BCAAA Celebes Sea

An M 5.7 (EMSC) to M 6.0 (CWB) earthquake in Taiwan today was widely felt. NEIC reported it was felt with intensity II-III in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsninchu, Taichung, Taiwan. CWB gave this earthquake M 6.0 and reported it was felt with intensity III in northern Taiwan in Yilan, Taipei and Taichung Counties; II in Hualien, Nantou, Taitung, Taoyuan, Miaoli, Hainchu, Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi and I in Kaohsiung and Tainan Counties, Taiwan. No major damage was reported from this offshore earthquake and no tsunami was expected nor observed. The last earthquake near Taiwan with M>=6.0 occurred on February 6, 2018 (M 5.4) and February 4, 2018 (M 6.1) following a quiet period from February, 2016 to February, 2018. Forecast 120515 had expected today's evnet within about 25 km of the epicenter was likely around October 22. This epicenter is at the fifth node (72 degrees) from the M 8.2 in Fiji of August 19 and was probably promoted by energy from that event.

O: 23OCT2018 04:34:58 24.1N 122.7E Mw=5.7 EMSC TAIWAN REGION

O: 23OCT2018 04:34:58 24.0N 122.6E ML=6.0 TAI Hualien, Taiwan

P: 22OCT2018 120515 24.0N 123.0E 4.0-5.5 AAAAA Taiwan

The strongest earthquake in the U.S. outside Alaska and Hawaii today was an M 3.3 on the New Madrid Fault in Tennessee (earthquakes of M 3.7 in Northern Alaska and M 3.4 in Hawaii exceeded this magnitude today). It was followed by a series of aftershocks, most of which were minor. This many aftershock in the area is somewhat unusual. NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.3 in Tennessee was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Ridgely, Hornbeak, Obion, Tiptonville, Troy, Newbern, Martin, Tennessee and in Missouri at Clarkton, Matthews and Sikeston. It is likely that the mainshock was triggered by energy from Vancouver as a delay of about only five hours separated the events. The only quake of M>=3.3 along the New Madrid fault in the past year was an M 3.6 on January 16, 2018. Forecast 120535 expected today's epicenter would be active in mid-October. These epicenters are at 102 degrees from the great Fiji quakes of August and September and were probably promoted from that source.

O: 22OCT2018 11:06:20 36.3N 89.4W MD=3.3 EMSC TENNESSEE

O: 22OCT2018 11:28:44 36.3N 89.5W MD=2.1 EMSC TENNESSEE

O: 22OCT2018 14:44:58 36.3N 89.4W md=1.2 ANSS ENE of Ridgely Tennessee

O: 22OCT2018 14:07:21 36.3N 89.4W md=1.2 ANSS E of Ridgely Tennessee

O: 22OCT2018 12:08:45 36.3N 89.5W md=1.0 ANSS ENE of Ridgely Tennessee

O: 22OCT2018 11:40:03 36.3N 89.4W md=1.2 ANSS ENE of Ridgely Tennessee

O: 22OCT2018 11:39:41 36.3N 89.4W md=1.5 ANSS ENE of Ridgely Tennessee

O: 22OCT2018 11:39:30 36.3N 89.4W md=1.7 ANSS ENE of Ridgely Tennessee

O: 22OCT2018 11:25:50 36.3N 89.4W md=1.2 ANSS ENE of Ridgely Tennessee

P: 14OCT2018 120535 36.0N 89.0W 2.0-4.2 CAAAA New Madrid area

An antipodal pair of earthquakes also occurred today in Sumbawa, Indonesia and Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinidad quake is probably an aftershock of the August 21, 2018 M 7.3 while the Sumbawa event may be a regional aftershock of the Lombok and Sulawesi strong shocks of August and September.

NEIC reported the earthquake of M 4.9 in Venezuela was felt with intensity IV in Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain and II-III in the area(s) of Mucurapo, Tunapunas-Piarco and Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago.

O: 23OCT2018 03:32:59 10.3N 62.5W mb=4.9 EMSC GULF OF PARIA, VENEZUELA

BMG reported the earthquake of M 4.7 in Sumbawa was felt with intensity III in Sumbawa and Lombok, Indonesia. Note that the exact antipode of this epicenter is at 9.3N 62.8W in Venezuela.

O: 22OCT2018 19:39:12 9.3S 117.2E ML=4.7 EMSC SUMBAWA REGION, INDONESIA

O: 22OCT2018 19:39:12 09.3S 117.2E MS=4.7 BMG Felt with intensity III

P: 16OCT2018 120479 9.0S 118.0E 4.0-5.4 CAAAA Sumbawa Island area

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: 23OCT2018 04:34:58 24.1N 122.7E Mw=5.7 EMSC TAIWAN REGION

P: 22OCT2018 120515 24.0N 123.0E 4.0-5.5 AAAAA Taiwan

O: 22OCT2018 16:49:35 30.4N 87.7E mb=4.8 EMSC WESTERN XIZANG

P: 19OCT2018 120562 31.0N 84.0E 3.8-5.3 BACAA Xizang

O: 22OCT2018 10:08:33 34.3N 84.1E mb=4.7 EMSC WESTERN XIZANG

P: 19OCT2018 120562 31.0N 84.0E 3.8-5.3 BCAAA Xizang

O: 22OCT2018 17:19:19 36.6N 70.6E mb=4.4 EMSC HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN

P: 16OCT2018 120529 37.0N 70.0E 3.8-5.4 CAAAA Hindu Kush/Pakistan

O: 22OCT2018 15:07:21 38.5N 70.6E mb=4.6 EMSC TAJIKISTAN

P: 17OCT2018 120529 39.0N 72.0E 3.8-5.3 AAAAA Hindu Kush/Pakistan

O: 22OCT2018 21:37:25 44.2N 82.6E mb=5.1 EMSC NORTHERN XINJIANG, CHINA

P: 21OCT2018 120572 42.0N 79.0E 4.0-5.5 ACBAA Kirgizstan/Xinjiang

INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES

O: 22OCT2018 16:13:12 1.7S 120.1E mb=4.7 EMSC SULAWESI, INDONESIA

O: 22OCT2018 16:07:47 1.7S 120.2E Mw=5.1 EMSC SULAWESI, INDONESIA

O: 22OCT2018 16:07:49 01.6S 120.1E MS=5.2 BMG Felt with intensity III

P: 19OCT2018 120445 1.0N 120.0E 4.0-5.6 BCAAA Celebes Sea

BMG reported this earthquake of M 5.2 was felt with intensity III in Poso; II-III in Palu, Mamuuju, Parigi, Tentena and II in Masamba and Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

O: 22OCT2018 19:39:12 9.3S 117.2E ML=4.7 EMSC SUMBAWA REGION, INDONESIA

O: 22OCT2018 19:39:12 09.3S 117.2E MS=4.7 BMG Felt with intensity III

P: 16OCT2018 120479 9.0S 118.0E 4.0-5.4 CAAAA Sumbawa Island area

BMG reported this earthquake of M 4.7 was felt with intensity III in Sumbawa and Lombok, Indonesia.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

O: 22OCT2018 19:47:30 8.7N 82.8W ML=3.9 EMSC PANAMA-COSTA RICA BORDER REGIO

P: 20OCT2018 120452 8.0N 82.0W 3.5-5.0 AAAAA Costa Rica

O: 23OCT2018 03:32:59 10.3N 62.5W mb=4.9 EMSC GULF OF PARIA, VENEZUELA

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.9 in Venezuela was felt with intensity IV in Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain and II-III in the area(s) of Mucurapo, Tunapunas-Piarco and Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago.

O: 22OCT2018 14:12:38 10.6N 86.1W mb=4.6 EMSC OFF COAST OF COSTA RICA

P: 21OCT2018 120497 10.0N 86.0W 3.5-5.3 AAAAA Nicaragua

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.6 in Costa Rica was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Sardinal Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

O: 22OCT2018 21:26:02 15.6N 95.1W ML=4.0 EMSC OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO

O: 23OCT2018 04:11:22 15.6N 95.1W ML=4.3 EMSC OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO

P: 21OCT2018 120486 16.0N 95.0W 3.5-5.3 AAAAA Chiapas, Mexico

O: 22OCT2018 11:08:43 15.8N 92.4W ML=4.3 EMSC CHIAPAS, MEXICO

P: 20OCT2018 120486 16.0N 93.0W 3.5-5.2 AAAAA Chiapas, Mexico

O: 22OCT2018 21:23:00 18.3N 64.8W MD=3.4 EMSC SAINT JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLAND

P: 21OCT2018 120503 20.0N 65.0W 3.0-4.4 ABAAA Bahamas/No. Caribbean

O: 23OCT2018 01:42:21 19.5N 65.3W MD=3.4 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION

P: 21OCT2018 120503 20.0N 65.0W 3.0-4.4 AAAAA Bahamas/No. Caribbean

O: 22OCT2018 09:13:14 18.7N 68.3W MD=3.1 EMSC DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION

O: 22OCT2018 23:58:10 19.6N 68.6W MD=3.2 EMSC DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION

P: 14OCT2018 120501 18.0N 69.0W 3.4-5.2 CBAAA Puerto Rico

O: 22OCT2018 22:25:40 20.6S 69.0W mb=4.2 EMSC TARAPACA, CHILE

P: 19OCT2018 120651 20.0S 69.0W 4.0-5.7 BAAAA So. Peru/Bolivia

AFRICA AND EUROPE

O: 22OCT2018 09:14:37 37.6N 15.0E ML=2.4 EMSC SICILY, ITALY

P: 18OCT2018 120532 39.0N 15.0E 3.0-4.7 BBAAA Mediterranean/Sicily

O: 22OCT2018 12:39:51 42.5N 45.3E mb=4.2 EMSC GEORGIA (SAK'ART'VELO)

P: 20OCT2018 120565 43.0N 44.0E 3.5-5.3 AAAAA Caucasus/Caspian Sea

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.2 in Georgia was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Gldani-Nadzaladevi, Georgia.

O: 23OCT2018 00:12:54 64.6N 17.4W ML=3.5 EMSC ICELAND

O: 23OCT2018 00:09:01 64.6N 17.7W mb=4.5 EMSC ICELAND

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

O: 22OCT2018 19:06:49 22.1S 179.5W mb=4.8 EMSC SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS

P: 19OCT2018 120641 19.0S 178.0W 4.0-5.5 BCAAA Tonga Islands

O: 23OCT2018 04:38:09 22.5S 171.2E mb=5.2 EMSC SOUTHEAST OF LOYALTY ISLANDS

P: 20OCT2018 120645 22.0S 169.0E 4.0-5.6 BAAAA Loyalty Islands

OCEAN RIDGES

O: 22OCT2018 13:12:23 34.8S 108.1W mb=4.8 EMSC SOUTHERN EAST PACIFIC RISE

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

ZEALANDIA AND AUSTRALIA REGION

O: 22OCT2018 22:33:34 35.7S 179.2E mb=4.5 EMSC OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z

P: 14OCT2018 120658 35.0S 179.0E 3.0-4.5 AAAAA North Island, N.Z.

JAPAN AND KURIL ISLANDS

O: 22OCT2018 10:47:19 37.6N 141.4E mb=5.0 EMSC NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAP

P: 15OCT2018 120541 37.0N 141.0E 4.0-5.6 CAAAA Off East Coast Honshu

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 5.0 off eastern Honshu, Japan was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Gunma and Tokyo, Japan.

U.S./CANADA*

WESTERN U.S./CANADA

CALIFORNIA

O: 22OCT2018 14:07:52 27.6N 111.7W ML=4.4 EMSC GULF OF CALIFORNIA

O: 22OCT2018 09:13:01 28.2N 112.3W ML=3.8 EMSC GULF OF CALIFORNIA

P: 22OCT2018 120505 28.0N 112.0W 3.5-4.9 AAAAA Gulf of California

O: 22OCT2018 23:59:24 31.7N 115.9W ML=2.5 EMSC BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

P: 19OCT2018 120546 32.9N 115.6W 2.5-4.4 BBAAA So. California

O: 23OCT2018 04:30:32 33.7N 116.7W ML=2.4 EMSC SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

P: 21OCT2018 120547 33.9N 116.9W 2.5-4.7 AAAAA So. California

O: 22OCT2018 06:32:58 37.4N 119.6W ML=3.1 EMSC CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 22OCT2018 11:34:27 37.6N 119.0W MD=2.2 EMSC LONG VALLEY AREA, CALIFORNIA

O: 22OCT2018 11:45:37 37.6N 119.4W MD=2.6 EMSC CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

P: 18OCT2018 120519 37.3N 119.4W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA California/Nevada area

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 2.6 in Central California was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Oakhurst, El Portal, Ahwahnee, North Fork, Mariposa, Coarsegold and Shaver Lake, California. An earlier M 3.1 was reported felt lightly in Bass Lake, Fish Camp, Oakhurst, Ahwahnee, North Fork, Coarsegold, Mariposa, Raymond, El Portal and Midpines, California among others.

O: 22OCT2018 09:08:45 40.5N 123.0W MD=2.3 EMSC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 22OCT2018 11:16:55 40.7N 124.1W MD=2.6 EMSC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

P: 14OCT2018 120583 40.2N 124.2W 2.5-4.6 CAAAA Off Coast of No. Calif

P: 20OCT2018 120525 39.7N 123.7W 2.5-4.6 AAAAA Central California

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 2.6 off the coast of Northern California was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Eureka, Fortuna and Arcata, California.

ALASKA

O: 23OCT2018 06:40:24 59.7N 153.3W Ml=3.1 EMSC SOUTHERN ALASKA

P: 15OCT2018 120616 60.1N 150.6W 3.2-5.0 CABAA Central Alaska

O: 22OCT2018 06:19:11 59.8N 138.9W Ml=3.9 EMSC SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

P: 16OCT2018 120614 60.0N 139.0W 3.2-5.1 CAAAA Central Alaska

O: 22OCT2018 22:14:22 69.6N 144.2W ML=3.3 EMSC NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 23OCT2018 05:17:12 69.1N 147.0W Ml=3.3 EMSC NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 23OCT2018 05:18:45 69.1N 147.1W Ml=3.7 EMSC NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 23OCT2018 05:44:04 69.2N 147.1W Ml=3.2 EMSC NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 22OCT2018 23:16:18 69.5N 144.2W ML=3.6 EMSC NORTHERN ALASKA

O: 23OCT2018 02:40:35 69.6N 144.2W ML=3.1 EMSC NORTHERN ALASKA

P: 18OCT2018 120622 69.0N 144.0W 3.0-4.8 BAAAA Northern Alaska

PACIFIC NORTHWESTERN U.S./WESTERN CANADA