Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Q: Which country suffered an 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011? A: Japan suffered an 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The 2011 Japan earthquake was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan. It is the fourth most powerful earthquake in the world. Japanese officials confirmed 15,899 deaths and 6,157 people being injured. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported as 7.9 Mw earthquake. It was revised to 8.9, then 9.0 and finally 9.1.

Q: When was the 7.1 earthquake in Alaska? A: The last magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Alaska was on November 30, 2018.  The 2018 Alaska earthquake's epicenter was located near Point Mackenzie, about 16 km north of Anchorage. The earthquake's epicenter was located at a depth of 47 km. A federal disaster was declared shortly after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Alaska in 2018. The earthquake caused damage of at least US$30 million in Anchorage.

October 20, 2020: A magnitude 7.5 earthquake near Sand Point, Alaska Peninsula triggered a tsunami warning causing locals to evacuate to higher ground. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the North Pacific Ocean about 55 miles southeast of Sand Point. The earthquake caused a tsunami warning along roughly 500 miles of the Alaska Peninsula coastline . The warning extended from Kennedy Entrance, 40 miles southwest of Homer, to Unimak Pass, 80 miles northeast of Unalaska. The tsunami waves reached a height of 2.2 feet above the tide in Sand Point. According to the USGS, the 7.5 earthquake in Alaska occurred as the result of strike-slip faulting near the subduction zone interface between the Pacific and North America plates, either within the upper (North America) Plate or within the downgoing (Pacific) slab.  Large earthquakes are common in the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone. Eight earthquakes of magnitude greater than magnitude 7.0 h

 October 19, 2020: A light earthquake of magnitude 4.2 has been recorded near Mirpur, Azad Kashmir at 01:05 am. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the earthquake's epicenter was located 8 Km North of Mirpur, AJK. The earthquake occurred at 16 km depth. The tremor was felt by the people of Mirpur and as far as Jhelum. A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.6 in Azad Kashmir in September last year claimed lives of 40 people.

 October 17, 2020: An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 has been recorded today in Philippines at 04:06 am. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the earthquake's epicenter was located 23 km SW of Looc (Occidental Mindoro). Light intensity of MMI IV have been felt by the people of Calatagan, Batangas and Tagaytay City. No damage or injuries are expected from the earthquake. However, PHIVOLCS expects multiple aftershocks of minor magnitude from this earthquake.

October 16, 2020: At least 50 people have been killed in Telangana state of India, many of them in the capital Hyderabad. According to the India Meteorological Office (IMD), Ghatkesar received record rainfall of 322 mm from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning. Hyderabad has last seen such heavy October rains after 129 years. Hyderabad has set a record of wettest year in 2020 with 404% more than normal annual rainfall. 

October 1, 2020: More than 240 earthquakes have been recorded near Westmorland, California. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake is the latest and strongest earthquake to strike near Westmorland. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the magnitude 4.9 earthquake was located 4 km NE of Westmorland, California. The earthquake swarm began around 4 p.m., when a 3.0 magnitude temblor struck. At least 240 earthquakes were recorded by 8 p.m. USGS confirmed that the earthquake and the associated swarms are located in an area of diffuse seismic activity between the San Andreas fault in the north and the Imperial fault to the south.  It’s less likely, but possible, that a larger quake with a magnitude up to 6.9 will strike, according to the earthquake forecast by the USGS. According to the USGS, the latest swarm is “rapidly evolving,” and seismologists will update their quake forecast as more data is collected. Tremors were felt by the people of San Diego County and Ti