STRONG EARTHQUAKE HITS OFF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

 

EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY FOR JULY 13, 2019

 

A strong M 6.6 earthquake was located off the coast of western Australia today. NEIC reported it was felt with maximum intensity V in Broome, and IV in Port Hedland. Karratha and Darwin, Western Australia and within about 1500 km of the epicenter. This is an area where strong tropical cyclones often make landfall in Australia. This summary has previously linked these events to increased antipodal seismicity in the northern Caribbean. Today's event is antipodal to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the past issue of this summary it had been noted in this regard:

 

"The lull period in the northern Caribbean commented on in this summary also appeared to dissipate. The hurricane season often brings enhanced seismicity to this region, and it's antipode north of Australia and south of Sumbawa." (July 12-13, 2019)

 

No earthquakes of M>=6.5 have been recorded within about 400 km of this epicenter in at least 30 years. The last moderate quake in the area was an M 4.9 on May 10, 2016 and prior to that an M 5.1 on March 6, 2009. While activity in the Flores and Sumbawa area had been expected at this time, the low seismicity in this region prevented a forecast for this event.

This was expected south of Indonesia in forecast 117319 in mid-July. In the previous issue of this summary it had been noted:

 

"Seismicity was also up in the region of central Indonesia with a series of events up to M 5.1 in the Sumbawa and Flores area." (July 12-13, 2019)

 

O: 14JUL2019 05:39:24  18.1S  120.4E Mw=6.7  EMSC   WESTERN AUSTRALIA            

O: 14JUL2019 06:35:24  18.4S  120.3E ML=4.1  EMSC   WESTERN AUSTRALIA            

O: 14JUL2019 06:41:07  18.5S  120.6E ML=4.0  EMSC   WESTERN AUSTRALIA             

P:  8JUL2019 117319    11.0S  118.0E 4.0-5.5 CAAAA  South of Indonesia         

 

An unusually large M 5.6 also occurred in the Southern East Pacific Rise today. This area became active with an M 5.2 south of this following the M 7.1 in California if July 6. This event was not felt in this remote area. It is the strongest earthquake within about 350 km of the epicenter since an M 5.8 on May 12, 2014, an aftershock of an M 6.5 on the same date. Forecast 117353 had expected this event was likely around July 7.

 

O: 13JUL2019 07:59:36  49.5S  116.8W Mw=5.6  EMSC   SOUTHERN EAST PACIFIC RISE   

P:  7JUL2019 117353    50.0S  116.0W 4.0-5.5 CAAAA  East Pacific Rise          

 

The strongest earthquake in the U.S. or Canada today was an M 4.5 in western Montana. This, and an M 4.0 aftershock was widely felt in Montana. NEIC reported intensity  IV in Montana at Three Forks and Manhattan and II-III within about 100 km in Montana at Belgrade, Bozeman, Radersburg, Toston, Cardwell, Gallatin Gateway and Townsend. The last earthquake within about 100 km of this epicenter with M>=4.5 occurred more than 30 years ago. The only regional event within about 200 km of larger magnitude in this time was an M 5.8 of July 6, 2017. Forecasts 117432 and 117447 had expected activity in this region was likely between July 14 and 21.

 

O: 14JUL2019 01:52:46  45.9N  111.4W Ml=4.5  EMSC   WESTERN MONTANA              

P: 14JUL2019 117432    45.4N  112.7W 2.0-3.9 AAAAA  Montana/Idaho              

P: 21JUL2019 117447    46.4N  111.4W 2.0-3.9 CAAAA  Yellowstone/Wyoming        

 

The most unusual earthquake in the U.S. or Canada today was an M 3.7 in Southern Quebec near the New York border. It was felt lightly in the epicentral area according to Earthquakes Canada. This is the strongest earthquake within about 150 km of this epicenter in nearly 12 years - since an M 4.1 on October 1, 2007. Forecast 117237 had expected this event within about 50 km was likely in early July.

 

O: 13JUL2019 17:56:45  47.2N   76.4W mb=3.7  EMSC   SOUTHERN QUEBEC, CANADA      

P:  5JUL2019 117237    47.0N   76.0W 2.0-3.9 CAAAA  New York State             

 

Two unusual earthquakes also occurred today in Europe - an M 4.7 in Greece and an M 5.0 west of this and southwest of Sicily, Italy in the western Mediterranian.  These appear to be related to the activation of the Anatolian Fault zone following the M 7.1 in California of July 6 as noted in previous issues of this summary:

 

 

"Energy on the surface from California does not have a good angle with the east-west orientation of the North Anatolian Fault though, so a major quake in this  area, while it could happen, is unlikely to have been triggered from California. Still, the conditions may be ripe for a moderate quake in northern Turkey or Greece at this time. Both areas respond to geomagnetic storms." (July 10, 2019)

 

 

The earthquake in the western Mediterranean of M 5.0 is the strongest within about 250 km of that epicenter since an M 5.1 on January 2, 2018 and prior to that an M 5.2 on May 28, 2016. The last such event within about 100 km of this epicenter was an M 5.5 on May 19, 2013. NEIC reported it was felt with intensity V in Algeria at Oued and Jijili; IV in Amir, and II-III within about 100 km of the epicenter.  Forecast 117213 and 117424 had expected this activity was likely around July 9-15. This earthquake occurred at the 4th node (90 degrees) from California and may have been promoted from that source. The event in Greece was near 100 degrees from California and was also probably promoted.

 

O: 13JUL2019 09:56:36  37.2N    5.7E Mw=5.0  EMSC   WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA    

O: 13JUL2019 13:38:26  37.7N    5.1E mb=4.0  EMSC   WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA    

P:  9JUL2019 117213    37.0N    5.0E 3.0-4.8 BAAAA  Western Mediterranean      

P: 15JUL2019 117424    37.0N    4.0E 3.0-4.6 AAAAA  Western Mediterranean      

 

NEIC reported the M 4.7 in Greece was felt with intensity V in Greece at Paravola; IV in Neapoli and II-III in Palairos, Agrinion, Leukas, Nidnon, Vasiliki, Greece.

 

O: 13JUL2019 15:08:42  38.8N   21.2E ML=4.7  EMSC   GREECE                       

P:  7JUL2019 117177    39.0N   21.0E 3.0-4.8 CAAAA  No. Greece                 

P: 16JUL2019 117413    38.0N   20.0E 3.0-4.4 BAAAA  No. Greece                 

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: 13JUL2019 15:08:58  24.9N   94.7E mb=4.3  EMSC   MYANMAR-INDIA BORDER REGION  

P:  8JUL2019 117141    20.0N   96.0E 4.0-5.4 BCBAA  Myanmar                    

 

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

 

O: 13JUL2019 21:40:33  36.5N   71.2E mb=4.3  EMSC   HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN

P:  8JUL2019 117170    36.0N   72.0E 3.8-5.6 BAAAA  Hindu Kush/Pakistan        

 

O: 14JUL2019 06:37:45  53.4N  160.8E mb=4.3  EMSC   NEAR EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA 

P:  7JUL2019 117270    54.0N  160.0E 4.0-5.6 CAAAA  E. of Kamchatka            

 

O: 14JUL2019 04:51:04  54.5N  164.3E mb=4.1  EMSC   KOMANDORSKIYE OSTROVA REGION 

P:  9JUL2019 117273    56.0N  165.0E 4.0-5.7 BAAAA  Komandorsky Isl            

 

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

 

INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES

 

O: 13JUL2019 18:14:44   2.0S  122.9E ML=4.1  EMSC   SULAWESI, INDONESIA          

P: 18JUL2019 117370     2.0S  123.0E 4.0-5.4 BAAAA  Sulawesi area              

 

O: 14JUL2019 05:19:34   3.6N   93.3E mb=4.7  EMSC   OFF W COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATR

P: 15JUL2019 117361     5.0N   97.0E 4.0-5.4 ABCAA  Nicobar Islands            

 

O: 13JUL2019 22:23:19   3.9N  128.4E ML=4.5  EMSC   NORTH OF HALMAHERA, INDONESIA

O: 13JUL2019 21:58:02   3.9N  128.4E mb=4.8  EMSC   NORTH OF HALMAHERA, INDONESIA

P:  6JUL2019 117069     3.0N  129.0E 4.0-5.5 CAAAA  Halmahera                  

 

O: 13JUL2019 08:37:16   5.9S  130.8E ML=4.5  EMSC   BANDA SEA                    

O: 13JUL2019 23:05:26   6.3S  131.3E ML=4.4  EMSC   KEP. TANIMBAR REGION, INDONESI

P:  8JUL2019 117097     6.0S  130.0E 4.0-5.4 BAAAA  West Irian, PNG            

 

O: 13JUL2019 21:51:23  12.4N  144.6E mb=4.7  EMSC   GUAM REGION                  

P:  7JUL2019 117128    13.0N  144.0E 4.0-5.4 CAAAA  So. Marianas/Guam          

 

 

O: 14JUL2019 00:16:35  10.1N  125.7E mb=4.6  EMSC   LEYTE, PHILIPPINES           

P: 15JUL2019 117378    11.0N  125.0E 3.5-5.0 AAAAA  Luzon, Philippines         

 

O: 13JUL2019 17:36:51  18.6N  119.5E mb=4.6  EMSC   PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION    

P:  8JUL2019 117114    19.0N  122.0E 3.5-4.9 BABAA  Luzon, Philippines         

 

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

 

O: 13JUL2019 19:17:30   8.3N   82.9W ML=4.3  EMSC   PANAMA-COSTA RICA BORDER REGIO

P:  8JUL2019 117065     8.0N   82.0W 3.5-5.1 BAAAA  Costa Rica                  

P: 15JUL2019 117360     7.0N   82.0W 3.5-4.9 ABAAA  Costa Rica                 

 

O: 14JUL2019 02:15:30   0.7S   80.2W ML=3.6  EMSC   NEAR COAST OF ECUADOR        

P:  8JUL2019 117079     1.0S   81.0W 4.0-5.5 CAAAA  Ecuador                    

 

O: 13JUL2019 12:05:15   1.3N   90.5W Mw=5.1  EMSC   GALAPAGOS ISLANDS REGION     

P:  8JUL2019 117068     2.0N   91.0W 3.5-5.4 BAAAA  Galapagos Islands          

 

O: 14JUL2019 00:18:30  10.3N   86.4W ML=4.2  EMSC   OFF COAST OF COSTA RICA      

P:  7JUL2019 117119    11.0N   87.0W 3.5-5.3 CAAAA  Nicaragua                  

 

O: 13JUL2019 15:05:00   3.4S   80.0W ML=4.0  EMSC   PERU-ECUADOR BORDER REGION   

P:  8JUL2019 117079     1.0S   81.0W 4.0-5.5 BCAAA  Ecuador                    

 

O: 13JUL2019 14:39:00  15.1S   73.4W ML=4.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN PERU                

P: 18JUL2019 117476    17.0S   73.0W 4.0-5.4 BBAAA  So. Peru/Bolivia           

 

O: 13JUL2019 19:03:01  15.4N   94.8W ML=4.0  EMSC   OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO      

P: 13JUL2019 117373    14.0N   93.0W 3.5-5.1 ABBAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 14JUL2019 01:57:21  15.8N   90.9W Mw=4.8  EMSC   GUATEMALA                    

P:  8JUL2019 117107    15.0N   91.0W 3.5-5.4 CAAAA  Guatemala                  

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 4.8 in Guatemala was felt with intensity II-III in the area(s) of Santa Catarina Pinula and San Benito Peten, Guatemala.

 

O: 13JUL2019 07:46:55  15.9N   97.3W ML=4.1  EMSC   OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO      

O: 14JUL2019 05:48:49  16.2N   97.6W ML=4.0  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

P: 11JUL2019 117382    16.0N   97.0W 3.5-5.3 BAAAA  Oaxaca, Mexico             

 

O: 14JUL2019 05:12:53  16.7N   94.7W ML=4.1  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

O: 13JUL2019 17:12:52  17.0N   94.3W ML=4.0  EMSC   OAXACA, MEXICO               

P:  9JUL2019 117103    16.0N   94.0W 3.5-5.4 BAAAA  Chiapas, Mexico            

 

O: 13JUL2019 20:11:18  18.0N   71.2W ML=3.0  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC           

P:  8JUL2019 117132    20.0N   71.0W 3.0-4.4 BAAAA  Bahamas/No. Caribbean      

 

O: 13JUL2019 14:06:11  18.5N   68.8W ML=3.7  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC           

O: 13JUL2019 16:43:57  19.0N   68.4W ML=3.1  EMSC   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION    

P: 14JUL2019 117383    19.0N   69.0W 3.4-4.9 AAAAA  Puerto Rico                 

 

O: 14JUL2019 03:26:46  19.7N   65.3W Md=3.0  EMSC   PUERTO RICO REGION           

P: 14JUL2019 117377    18.0N   64.0W 3.0-4.9 ABAAA  Leeward Islands            

 

O: 13JUL2019 16:49:39  21.1S   68.8W ML=4.2  EMSC   TARAPACA, CHILE              

P:  8JUL2019 117324    21.0S   68.0W 4.0-5.5 BAAAA  Argentina                  

 

O: 14JUL2019 02:25:08  29.7S   68.3W mb=4.5  EMSC   LA RIOJA, ARGENTINA          

P: 17JUL2019 117483    31.0S   68.0W 4.0-5.4 BBAAA  Central Chile              

 

 

AFRICA AND EUROPE

 

O: 13JUL2019 09:56:36  37.2N    5.7E Mw=5.0  EMSC   WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA    

O: 13JUL2019 13:38:26  37.7N    5.1E mb=4.0  EMSC   WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA    

P:  9JUL2019 117213    37.0N    5.0E 3.0-4.8 BAAAA  Western Mediterranean       

P: 15JUL2019 117424    37.0N    4.0E 3.0-4.6 AAAAA  Western Mediterranean      

 

O: 13JUL2019 15:08:42  38.8N   21.2E ML=4.7  EMSC   GREECE                       

P:  7JUL2019 117177    39.0N   21.0E 3.0-4.8 CAAAA  No. Greece                 

P: 16JUL2019 117413    38.0N   20.0E 3.0-4.4 BAAAA  No. Greece                 

 

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

 

O: 14JUL2019 01:44:48  23.8S  179.9W mb=4.6  EMSC   SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS        

P: 12JUL2019 117482    24.0S  175.0W 4.0-5.5 AACAA  Tonga Islands              

 

OCEAN RIDGES

 

O: 13JUL2019 23:19:18  13.0N   57.5E mb=4.5  EMSC   OWEN FRACTURE ZONE REGION    

P:  4JUL2019 117099    15.0N   57.0E 3.5-5.5 CBAAA  Arabian Sea                

 

O: 13JUL2019 21:38:31  24.9S   70.2E mb=4.9  EMSC   MID-INDIAN RIDGE              

P:  9JUL2019 117330    28.0S   66.0E 4.0-5.9 CCCAA  So. Indian Ocean           

 

O: 13JUL2019 07:59:36  49.5S  116.8W Mw=5.6  EMSC   SOUTHERN EAST PACIFIC RISE   

P:  7JUL2019 117353    50.0S  116.0W 4.0-5.5 CAAAA  East Pacific Rise          

 

O: 13JUL2019 16:09:46  54.2N   35.2W mb=4.4  EMSC   REYKJANES RIDGE              

P: 21JUL2019 117456    54.0N   35.0W 4.0-5.4 CAAAA  North Mid-Atlantic Ridge   

 

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

 

 

ZEALANDIA AND AUSTRALIA REGION

 

O: 14JUL2019 05:39:24  18.1S  120.4E Mw=6.7  EMSC   WESTERN AUSTRALIA            

O: 14JUL2019 06:35:24  18.4S  120.3E ML=4.1  EMSC   WESTERN AUSTRALIA            

O: 14JUL2019 06:41:07  18.5S  120.6E ML=4.0  EMSC   WESTERN AUSTRALIA            

 

JAPAN AND KURIL ISLANDS

 

O: 13JUL2019 09:18:47  45.2N  153.4E mb=4.2  EMSC   EAST OF KURIL ISLANDS        

P: 13JUL2019 117443    47.0N  151.0E 3.5-5.4 ABBAA  So. Kurils                 

 

O: 14JUL2019 06:36:57  48.9N  152.9E mb=4.0  EMSC   KURIL ISLANDS                

P: 13JUL2019 117443    47.0N  151.0E 3.5-5.4 ABBAA  So. Kurils                 

 

U.S./CANADA*

 

WESTERN U.S./CANADA

 

CALIFORNIA

 

O: 14JUL2019 06:34:15  35.9N  117.7W Ml=2.6  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 06:06:39  35.9N  117.7W ML=3.3  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 06:03:17  36.0N  117.7W ML=3.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 05:26:24  36.0N  117.7W ML=3.1  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 03:48:50  35.6N  117.4W Ml=2.8  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 03:40:35  35.9N  117.7W Ml=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 02:28:17  35.8N  117.6W Ml=2.7  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 02:28:17  35.8N  117.6W Ml=2.7  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 14JUL2019 00:43:06  36.2N  117.9W Ml=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 23:11:51  35.6N  117.4W Ml=2.8  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 23:03:35  35.9N  117.7W ML=3.2  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 22:58:40  35.7N  117.5W ML=3.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 22:05:12  35.5N  117.4W ML=3.0  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 20:41:00  35.7N  117.6W Ml=2.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 19:06:15  35.7N  117.5W ML=3.3  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 18:24:47  36.1N  117.8W ML=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 18:14:34  36.2N  117.9W Ml=2.8  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 15:35:32  35.6N  117.4W Ml=2.8  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 14:34:41  35.9N  117.7W ML=3.1  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 12:44:28  36.1N  117.2W ml=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 11:45:21  35.6N  117.4W ML=3.1  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 11:22:38  35.9N  117.7W Ml=2.9  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 11:15:22  35.9N  117.7W Ml=2.9  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 10:26:13  35.6N  117.4W ML=2.8  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 10:25:18  35.9N  117.4W Mw=3.8  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 08:19:31  35.9N  117.7W Ml=2.6  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 07:40:04  35.7N  117.5W Ml=2.5  EMSC   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O: 13JUL2019 07:10:30  35.9N  117.7W Ml=2.5  EMSC   CENTRAL CALIFORNIA           

P: 13JUL2019 117397    35.8N  117.5W 2.5-4.4 AAAAA  California/Nevada area     

 

O: 13JUL2019 16:05:48  32.2N  117.4W ML=2.6  EMSC   OFFSHORE BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXI

P:  8JUL2019 117194    32.9N  117.6W 2.5-4.4 BAAAA  So. California             

 

ALASKA

 

O: 13JUL2019 15:51:11  56.0N  150.9W ML=3.0  EMSC   GULF OF ALASKA               

 

O: 13JUL2019 22:21:53  69.2N  144.6W mb=4.0  EMSC   NORTHERN ALASKA              

 

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: 14JUL2019 01:52:46  45.9N  111.4W Ml=4.5  EMSC   WESTERN MONTANA               

P: 14JUL2019 117432    45.4N  112.7W 2.0-3.9 AAAAA  Montana/Idaho              

P: 21JUL2019 117447    46.4N  111.4W 2.0-3.9 CAAAA  Yellowstone/Wyoming        

 

EASTERN U.S./CANADA

 

O: 13JUL2019 19:51:35  36.9N   97.4W mb=2.6  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

O: 14JUL2019 03:05:59  36.9N   97.4W mb=2.9  EMSC   OKLAHOMA                     

P: 15JUL2019 117421    37.0N   98.0W 2.0-3.9 AAAAA  Southern Plains            

 

NEIC reported this earthquake of M 3.0 in Oklahoma was felt with intensity IV in the area(s) of Braman, Oklahoma.

 

O: 13JUL2019 17:56:45  47.2N   76.4W mb=3.7  EMSC   SOUTHERN QUEBEC, CANADA      

P:  5JUL2019 117237    47.0N   76.0W 2.0-3.9 CAAAA  New York State             

 

HAWAII

 

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