Posted on 09/28/2012 9:05:18 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A new study suggests that two recent earthquakes may indicate a literal seismic shift in our understanding of tectonic plate movements.
Massive earthquakes under the Indian Ocean that took place last spring are the largest of their kind ever recorded. The 8.7 magnitude quake, followed by a 8.2 magnitude aftershock, could signal the formation of a new plate boundary under the Earth.
While not the largest earthquakes ever recorded, the two quakes are notable for their unusual location. The majority of earthquakes are known as thrust faults: massive sheets of rock sliding over or under another block along a fault line. The two earthquakes recorded in April were strike-slip faults, where one block of rock slides alongside another. The April quakes, which took place off the coast of Indonesia, are the largest slip-strike faults ever observed.
Additionally, the two earthquakes took place within a plate, rather than on its edge. According to a study published in the journal Nature, the quakes were part of the breakup of the Indian and Australian subplates under the Indian Ocean. The study also increased the magnitude of the initial earthquake to 8.7 - a significant increase in power as the Richter scale which is used to gauge the magnitude of earthquakes increases logarithmically rather than linearly.
Researchers believe the earthquakes were the result of the Indo-Australian plate rending itself apart. Seismologists have suspected the plate might be breaking apart since the 1980's. But the April earthquakes are the clearest evidence yet of this phenomenon. As one scientist wrote, "The long-term scenario is that a nascent plate tectonic boundary is forming: the Australian plate is becoming detached from the Indian plate."
This detachment will take several million years to complete, but research suggests more earthquakes like the ones in April will become increasingly likely in the future.
No, I think you've got that wrong. The East easily outpopulates the West. The problem is the weight of all the gold, oil, silver and other Third World riches Westerners have stolen from their "rightful owners" (even though they were paid for). The weight of that terrible wealth imbalance is the cause of Global Warming and tectonic plate disruption. It can only be cured by redistributing all American wealth back the the world's corrupt and tribal $hitholes.
“Earthquakes suggest new tectonic plate is forming”
It’s more like an existing plate is being divided into 2. It’s actually the creation of 2 new plates.
LOL!
Must see YouTube video! (no joke--dead serious!)
March 2010:
Democrat Representative Hank Johnson fears Guam may "tip over" and "capsize" due to overpopulation!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZczIgVXjg
_____________________
If vid should disappear, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=guam+%22Hank+Johnson%22&aq=f
Re: rifts and failed rifts....
“In geology, a rift or chasm is a place where the Earth’s crust and lithosphere are being pulled apart[1] and is an example of extensional tectonics.[2]
Typical rift features are a central linear downfaulted segment, called a graben, with parallel normal faulting and rift-flank uplifts on either side forming a rift valley, where the rift remains above sea level. The axis of the rift area commonly contains volcanic rocks, and active volcanism is a part of many, but not all active rift systems.
Major rifts occur along the central axis of mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust and lithosphere is created along a divergent boundary between two tectonic plates.
Failed rifts are where continental rifting began, but then failed to continue to the point of break-up. Typically the transition from rifting to spreading develops at a triple junction where three converging rifts meet over a hotspot. Two of these evolve to the point of seafloor spreading, while the third ultimately fails, becoming an aulacogen.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rift
_________________________________________
“The New Madrid Seismic Zone is made up of reactivated faults that formed when what is now North America began to split or rift apart during the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia in the Neoproterozoic Era (about 750 million years ago). Faults were created along the rift and igneous rocks formed from magma that was being pushed towards the surface. The resulting rift system failed but has remained as an aulacogen (a scar or zone of weakness) deep underground. Another unsuccessful attempt at rifting 200 million years ago created additional faults, which made the area weaker. The resulting geological structures make up the Reelfoot Rift, and have since been deeply buried by younger sediments. But the ancient faults appear to have made the rocks deep in the Earth’s crust in the New Madrid area mechanically weaker than much of the rest of North America.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reelfoot_Rift#Geology
Initial plate or continental rifting was thought to occur in a 3-prong manner (“Y” pattern). So there may be more rifting to come (2 other rift arms). Maybe in a few thousand years or so. Who knows. Not I.
From the article:
“Researchers believe the earthquakes were the result of the Indo-Australian plate rending itself apart. Seismologists have suspected the plate might be breaking apart since the 1980’s. But the April earthquakes are the clearest evidence yet of this phenomenon. As one scientist wrote, “The long-term scenario is that a nascent plate tectonic boundary is forming: the Australian plate is becoming detached from the Indian plate.”...”
Eh, call me in a few million years and I might be concerned./S
The increased earthquake and tsunami activity have been happening already, since the 80s. Lots of people dead as a result.
Amazing. . .Jesus said there would be “great earthquakes” as one of the signs of His return in “the later days.” And now we have several of the strongest ever recorded and an entire new plate break. Be ready. ;)))
LOL. “Great” earthquakes have been happening since the formation of the planet.
Bookmark
The following chart is drawn from several different pages on the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program site. Judge for yourself.From HERE.
That's what my source says...
References:
1)The number and energy intensity of earthquakes in any given period are based upon records from USGS and other sources, including those recorded at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
