Seismologists warn of increased earthquake risk in China, surrounding areas
Researchers have studied 150 years of data, predicting that the March earthquake in Myanmar will not be the final one
What did Chinese seismologists discover about earthquakes in the region?
What did Chinese seismologists discover about earthquakes in the region?
Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
A few days before a powerful earthquake hit Myanmar, a group of Chinese seismologists released a study. The study warned about an increased risk of such disasters in the region. Seismologists are experts in the study of earthquakes.
The researchers have predicted that the earthquake on March 28 will not be the final one. Their research shows that there is a higher risk of strong earthquakes happening in China and nearby areas.
The timing of the research has sparked intense debates about whether the stress patterns in the planet’s tectonic plates are entering a dangerous new phase.
The study analysed around 150 years of seismic data to identify six major earthquake “active periods” in China and adjacent regions.
The study points out growing stress in the locked areas of the Longmenshan Fault located in southwest China, the location of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. It also discusses the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, where GPS data indicates that India is moving northward at a faster rate.
The Myanmar quake, occurring during a transitional LOD phase, happened to fall in one of the predicted high-risk areas due to heightened northeast-oriented stress.
Answer: there is an increased risk of powerful earthquakes in China and nearby areas