STRONG QUAKE FELT IN NEW GUINEA MAY AFFECT CALIFORNIA SEISMICITY
EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY FOR JANUARY 18, 2020
The strongest earthquake in the world today was an M 6.0-6.1 in northern New Guinea. NEIC reported it was felt with intensity IV in Aberpura, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. Strong earthquakes in this area can affect seismicity in the Los Angeles area of California as it is located at 103 degrees from this. Major quakes in New Guinea are often followed by moderate to strong quakes in southern California about a month later. Major quakes in California often occur in January and February (for example San Fernando - February 9, 1971 and Northridge - January 16, 1994). Today's event is not large enough to trigger this large an event but may be precursory to larger regional events in New Guinea.
The M 6.0 in New Guinea was followed a series of moderate aftershocks. The M 6.0
in the strongest within about 200 km of this epicenter since an M 6.1 on June 24 and an M 6.3 on June 19, 2019 several weeks before the M 7.1 in Ridgecrest, California. The last earthquake of significantly larger magnitude in this area of New Guinea was an M 7.0 on July 27, 2015. Forecast 121199 had expected today's event within about 100 km of the epicenter was likely around January 15.
O: 19JAN2020 03:25:25 2.7S 139.5E ML=4.1 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 18JAN2020 21:33:29 2.7S 139.5E ML=4.3 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 18JAN2020 17:08:36 2.7S 139.6E ML=4.3 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 18JAN2020 16:38:14 2.8S 139.3E Mw=6.0 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 19JAN2020 00:14:41 2.9S 139.3E mb=4.9 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONES
O: 18JAN2020 16:07:47 3.1S 140.7E ML=4.3 EMSC PAPUA, INDONESIA
P: 15JAN2020 121199 3.0S 140.0E 4.0-5.4 BAAAA Papua New Guinea
An earthquake of M 2.6 in southern California near Grapevine followed the New Guinea quake of M 6.1 about 37 minutes after that event. This region of Southern California has been hypothesized by some to be the likely site of the next Northridge type event in the region. The SS- and SSS-phases from New Guinea were in the area when this event occurred and may have helped trigger it. This summary has noted the tendency for Northridge-type events in the region to recur with intervent times around 23-26 years. This includes an M 6.7 on December 25, 1899; an M 6.3 on July 23, 1923; an M 6.3 on March 15, 1946; an M 6.7 on February 9, 1971 and the Northridge event of M 6.7 on January 17, 1994. As it has been 26 years since the Northridge quake, such an event may be past due. The effect of the M 7.1 in Ridgecrest, California of July 6, 2019, however, on the seismicity of the Los Angeles area is uncertain and could delay or encourage this coming event.
The last earthquake within about 50 km of today's event of M 2.5-2.6 in Southern
California was an M 2.7 on January 13, 2020. A series of such events have occurred in the past two weeks including an M 2.9 on January 12, 2020. Forecast 121279 had expected today's event was likely in this area around January 15.
NEIC reported this earthquake of M 2.6 in Southern California was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Southern California at Frazier Park, Bakersfield and Moorpark.
O: 18JAN2020 17:15:13 35.0N 118.9W Ml=2.5 EMSC CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
P: 15JAN2020 121279 34.7N 119.0W 2.5-4.3 BAAAA So. California
Seismicity continued at elevated levels in Puerto Rico today. The strongest aftershock in the region was an M 4.6 today. Forecast 121228 had expected this activity around January 18. Following are the earthquakes of M>=4.0 today with a more extensive listing of M>=3 in the "AMERICA" section below.
O: 19JAN2020 00:53:57 17.8N 66.9W Mw=4.0 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 08:44:35 17.9N 66.7W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 19JAN2020 03:06:59 17.9N 66.8W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 19JAN2020 00:05:55 17.9N 66.9W Mw=4.6 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 16:56:59 17.8N 66.8W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
P: 18JAN2020 121228 18.0N 67.0W 3.4-4.8 AAAAA Puerto Rico
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: 19JAN2020 03:22:38 22.1N 121.6E mb=4.7 EMSC TAIWAN REGION
P: 15JAN2020 121243 20.0N 121.0E 4.0-5.3 BCAAA Taiwan
O: 18JAN2020 16:38:11 26.4N 66.4E mb=4.7 EMSC PAKISTAN
P: 22JAN2020 121240 29.0N 68.0E 3.5-4.9 BCBAA Pakistan
O: 18JAN2020 18:00:13 31.6N 93.4E mb=4.8 EMSC EASTERN XIZANG
P: 11JAN2020 121080 33.0N 92.0E 3.8-5.1 CBAAA Xizang
O: 18JAN2020 08:49:17 53.7N 160.4E mb=4.0 EMSC NEAR EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA
P: 17JAN2020 121330 53.0N 161.0E 4.0-5.3 AAAAA E. of Kamchatka
No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in Asia today.
INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES
O: 19JAN2020 03:06:41 0.0N 123.3E ML=4.3 EMSC MINAHASA, SULAWESI, INDONESIA
P: 14JAN2020 121186 0.0N 123.0E 4.0-5.3 BAAAA Mindanao, Philippines
O: 19JAN2020 00:14:41 2.9S 139.3E mb=4.9 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONES
O: 18JAN2020 16:07:47 3.1S 140.7E ML=4.3 EMSC PAPUA, INDONESIA
P: 15JAN2020 121199 3.0S 140.0E 4.0-5.4 BAAAA Papua New Guinea
O: 18JAN2020 17:05:05 4.4S 133.8E ML=4.2 EMSC NEAR S COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESI
P: 22JAN2020 121205 3.0S 135.0E 4.0-5.3 BBAAA West Irian, PNG
O: 18JAN2020 19:36:55 6.0S 128.2E ML=4.1 EMSC BANDA SEA
P: 19JAN2020 121189 7.0S 129.0E 4.0-5.3 AAAAA Banda Sea
O: 18JAN2020 19:52:21 14.0N 120.9E ML=3.5 EMSC LUZON, PHILIPPINES
P: 15JAN2020 121220 14.0N 121.0E 3.5-4.8 BAAAA Luzon, Philippines
O: 19JAN2020 03:25:25 2.7S 139.5E ML=4.1 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 18JAN2020 21:33:29 2.7S 139.5E ML=4.3 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 18JAN2020 17:08:36 2.7S 139.6E ML=4.3 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 18JAN2020 16:38:14 2.8S 139.3E Mw=6.0 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
O: 19JAN2020 00:14:41 2.9S 139.3E mb=4.9 EMSC NEAR N COAST OF PAPUA, INDONES
O: 18JAN2020 16:07:47 3.1S 140.7E ML=4.3 EMSC PAPUA, INDONESIA
P: 15JAN2020 121199 3.0S 140.0E 4.0-5.4 BAAAA Papua New Guinea
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
O: 18JAN2020 23:40:24 15.2N 94.6W ML=4.0 EMSC OFF COAST OF OAXACA, MEXICO
O: 19JAN2020 03:32:15 15.2N 94.9W ML=4.1 EMSC OFF COAST OF OAXACA, MEXICO
P: 18JAN2020 121214 16.0N 95.0W 3.5-5.3 AAAAA Chiapas, Mexico
O: 19JAN2020 06:35:44 16.2N 98.1W ML=4.1 EMSC OAXACA, MEXICO
P: 19JAN2020 121227 18.0N 99.0W 3.5-5.0 ABAAA Oaxaca, Mexico
O: 18JAN2020 21:04:26 16.4N 94.8W ML=4.0 EMSC OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO
O: 18JAN2020 15:09:57 16.4N 95.4W ML=4.0 EMSC OAXACA, MEXICO
P: 18JAN2020 121214 16.0N 95.0W 3.5-5.3 AAAAA Chiapas, Mexico
O: 18JAN2020 22:20:54 16.5N 98.3W ML=4.3 EMSC OAXACA, MEXICO
P: 19JAN2020 121227 18.0N 99.0W 3.5-5.0 ABAAA Oaxaca, Mexico
O: 18JAN2020 20:54:22 17.0N 95.8W ML=4.0 EMSC OAXACA, MEXICO
P: 17JAN2020 121226 15.0N 96.0W 3.5-5.2 ABAAA Oaxaca, Mexico
O: 18JAN2020 18:01:41 17.1S 71.1W mb=4.5 EMSC NEAR COAST OF SOUTHERN PERU
P: 18JAN2020 121366 16.0S 71.0W 4.0-5.4 ABAAA So. Peru/Bolivia
O: 18JAN2020 12:34:14 17.5N 95.0W ML=4.1 EMSC VERACRUZ, MEXICO
O: 19JAN2020 02:13:44 17.6N 94.5W ML=4.4 EMSC VERACRUZ, MEXICO
P: 14JAN2020 121214 17.0N 94.0W 3.5-5.2 BAAAA Chiapas, Mexico
O: 18JAN2020 16:56:59 17.8N 66.8W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
P: 18JAN2020 121228 18.0N 67.0W 3.4-4.8 AAAAA Puerto Rico
O: 18JAN2020 12:45:06 18.0N 68.8W ML=3.4 EMSC DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION
P: 16JAN2020 121229 18.0N 69.0W 3.4-4.8 AAAAA Puerto Rico
O: 18JAN2020 12:17:22 18.5N 71.1W ML=3.3 EMSC DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
P: 17JAN2020 121229 18.0N 71.0W 3.4-4.8 AAAAA Puerto Rico
O: 19JAN2020 04:02:22 23.4S 66.8W ML=4.0 EMSC JUJUY, ARGENTINA
O: 19JAN2020 03:49:46 23.8S 68.9W Mw=4.3 EMSC ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE
O: 18JAN2020 08:35:06 24.0S 66.9W ML=4.1 EMSC JUJUY, ARGENTINA
P: 17JAN2020 121372 23.0S 66.0W 4.0-5.3 AAAAA Argentina
O: 19JAN2020 00:53:57 17.8N 66.9W Mw=4.0 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 13:29:08 17.9N 66.7W ML=3.2 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 08:44:35 17.9N 66.7W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 18:36:58 17.9N 66.8W ML=3.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 22:12:15 17.9N 66.8W ML=3.6 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 19JAN2020 03:06:59 17.9N 66.8W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 08:34:05 17.9N 66.9W ML=3.7 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 08:47:14 17.9N 66.9W ML=3.7 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 21:47:20 17.9N 66.9W ML=3.8 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 19JAN2020 00:05:55 17.9N 66.9W Mw=4.6 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 19JAN2020 05:04:38 18.0N 66.8W ML=3.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 15:27:29 18.0N 66.8W ML=3.4 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 11:18:57 18.0N 66.8W ML=3.7 EMSC PUERTO RICO
O: 18JAN2020 18:13:06 18.0N 66.8W ML=3.8 EMSC PUERTO RICO
O: 19JAN2020 00:33:25 18.0N 67.0W ML=3.0 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
O: 18JAN2020 16:56:59 17.8N 66.8W ML=4.1 EMSC PUERTO RICO REGION
P: 18JAN2020 121228 18.0N 67.0W 3.4-4.8 AAAAA Puerto Rico
AFRICA AND EUROPE
O: 18JAN2020 21:46:14 27.0N 34.8E mb=4.3 EMSC RED SEA
O: 19JAN2020 02:52:08 38.2N 20.7E Mw=5.0 EMSC GREECE
P: 16JAN2020 121264 37.0N 20.0E 3.0-4.4 BBAAA No. Greece
NEIC reported this earthquake of M 5.0 in Greece was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Greece at Valsamata and Argostolion, Kefallinia and in Nidrioin (V) and in Poros and Leukas, Greece.
O: 18JAN2020 14:17:41 63.4N 24.3W mb=4.5 EMSC ICELAND REGION
O: 18JAN2020 14:07:39 63.6N 24.0W mb=4.4 EMSC ICELAND REGION
No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in Europe today.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
O: 18JAN2020 23:32:42 23.5S 180.0E mb=4.7 EMSC SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS
P: 17JAN2020 121382 23.0S 179.0E 4.0-5.4 AAAAA Tonga/Fiji
No significant (M>=5) or unusual earthquakes were reported in the Southwest Pacific region today.
OCEAN RIDGES
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
No earthquakes of M>=4 were located in Japan or the Kuril Islands today.
U.S./CANADA*
WESTERN U.S./CANADA
CALIFORNIA
O: 18JAN2020 09:10:11 31.2N 115.5W ML=3.3 EMSC BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
P: 15JAN2020 121275 32.0N 115.4W 2.5-4.3 BAAAA So. California
O: 19JAN2020 05:07:38 32.0N 116.2W Ml=2.2 EMSC BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
P: 22JAN2020 121275 32.8N 116.0W 2.5-4.3 BAAAA So. California
O: 18JAN2020 23:08:26 33.5N 116.8W Ml=2.1 EMSC SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
P: 22JAN2020 121278 33.9N 116.9W 2.5-4.3 BAAAA So. California
O: 18JAN2020 17:15:13 35.0N 118.9W Ml=2.5 EMSC CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
P: 15JAN2020 121279 34.7N 119.0W 2.5-4.3 BAAAA So. California
O: 19JAN2020 01:48:51 35.7N 117.5W Ml=2.2 EMSC SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
P: 19JAN2020 121282 35.9N 117.7W 2.5-4.3 AAAAA So. California
O: 18JAN2020 10:47:17 36.7N 121.3W Md=2.1 EMSC CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
O: 19JAN2020 04:13:41 37.0N 121.5W Md=2.0 EMSC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
O: 19JAN2020 04:09:38 37.0N 121.5W Md=2.3 EMSC CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
P: 22JAN2020 121250 36.8N 121.3W 2.5-4.3 BAAAA Central California
O: 18JAN2020 19:21:56 38.7N 117.2W ml=2.6 EMSC NEVADA
P: 22JAN2020 121296 40.0N 117.9W 2.5-4.3 BBAAA California/Nevada area
ALASKA
O: 18JAN2020 12:12:39 50.8N 170.8W ml=3.3 EMSC SOUTH OF ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
P: 19JAN2020 121331 52.4N 169.4W 3.5-4.8 ABAAA Fox Islands, Aleutians
O: 18JAN2020 14:56:15 52.0N 172.3W ml=3.2 EMSC ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS
P: 16JAN2020 121328 51.8N 173.3W 3.5-4.8 AAAAA Andreanoff Isls, Aleutians
O: 19JAN2020 01:48:51 61.5N 150.0W ML=3.6 EMSC SOUTHERN ALASKA
P: 20JAN2020 121347 62.7N 150.6W 3.2-4.8 ABAAA 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 Wasilla, Willow, Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Chugiak.
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
No earthquakes of M>=2 were located in the Rocky Mountain region today.
EASTERN U.S./CANADA
O: 18JAN2020 07:48:02 35.0N 97.7W ML=2.1 EMSC OKLAHOMA
O: 18JAN2020 23:11:46 35.0N 97.7W mb=3.1 EMSC OKLAHOMA
P: 14JAN2020 121286 35.0N 96.0W 2.0-3.8 BABAA Southern Plains
NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.0 in Oklahoma was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Oklahoma at Alex (V); Bradley, Blanchard, Edmond, and Wichita, Kansas.
O: 18JAN2020 22:33:34 36.6N 97.1W ML=2.1 EMSC OKLAHOMA
O: 18JAN2020 13:00:23 35.6N 97.4W mb=2.4 EMSC OKLAHOMA CITY AREA, OKLAHOMA
P: 16JAN2020 121286 36.0N 97.0W 2.0-3.8 AAAAA Southern Plains
O: 18JAN2020 15:34:45 45.9N 65.9W ml=2.2 ANSS NW of Sussex Canada
O: 18JAN2020 15:34:45 46.0N 65.9W ML=2.2 EMSC NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA
P: 16JAN2020 121304 47.0N 69.0W 2.0-3.8 ABBAA Maine
HAWAII
No earthquakes of M>=3 were located in Hawaii.
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