Deep Fiji Earthquake
Wednesday, 9. May 2007, 19:10:09
The deepest earthquake ever recorded had a focus point of just over 700 km. Such deep earthquakes are only possible in subduction zones where the subducted slab is cold enough to be so rigid that seismic activity is possible.
On Sunday 6 May 2007 local time a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck at a depth of 678 km 265 km southeast of the Fiji capital Suva. A second quake, which struck nearby 50 minutes later was of magnitude 6.2 at a depth of 705 km, and is therefore one of the deepest ever recorded. The quakes were far too deep to cause any tsunami or damage.
The broad-scale tectonics of the earthquake region are dominated by the relative convergence of the Pacific and Australia plates. The Pacific plate subducts westward beneath the Australia plate at the Tonga Trench, a process that has been going on for the past 40 million years. The eastern edge of the broad Australia plate may be viewed as a collection of small plates or microplates that move with respect to each other and with respect to the Pacific plate and the Australia plate interior.
In terms of numbers of earthquakes, the broad-scale Australia/ Pacific plate boundary is one of the most active in the world. Earthquakes occur on the thrust-fault boundary between the Australia and Pacific plates, within the Pacific plate, and within and on the boundaries of the small plates that together compose the eastern edge of the overall Australia plate.
I have more information on the plate tectonics in the area at
On Sunday 6 May 2007 local time a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck at a depth of 678 km 265 km southeast of the Fiji capital Suva. A second quake, which struck nearby 50 minutes later was of magnitude 6.2 at a depth of 705 km, and is therefore one of the deepest ever recorded. The quakes were far too deep to cause any tsunami or damage.
The broad-scale tectonics of the earthquake region are dominated by the relative convergence of the Pacific and Australia plates. The Pacific plate subducts westward beneath the Australia plate at the Tonga Trench, a process that has been going on for the past 40 million years. The eastern edge of the broad Australia plate may be viewed as a collection of small plates or microplates that move with respect to each other and with respect to the Pacific plate and the Australia plate interior.
In terms of numbers of earthquakes, the broad-scale Australia/ Pacific plate boundary is one of the most active in the world. Earthquakes occur on the thrust-fault boundary between the Australia and Pacific plates, within the Pacific plate, and within and on the boundaries of the small plates that together compose the eastern edge of the overall Australia plate.
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http://wildland.owdjim.gen.nz/?p=358#more-358
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070506/wl_asia_afp/fijiquake_070506232024
I have more information on the plate tectonics in the area at
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http://whatonearth.olehnielsen.dk/plates/tonga.asp (Tonga Plate)
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http://whatonearth.olehnielsen.dk/plates/fiji.asp (Fiji Plate)
WIDGETIZE
rustyman # 9. May 2007, 20:19
nielsol # 18. May 2007, 17:01