4.3 on the Richter scale, occurred at 3:59am local/4:59 am EST. Epicenter about fifty miles west of Chicago, halfway between Virgil and Sycamore, Illinois.
No I didn't feel it, but I usually wake up right at 5 anyway.
This is interesting because there is a theory that the New Madrid mid-continental fault is 'migrating' northward. There was an earthquake in southern Illinois two years ago (oddly at almost the same time of day) which I did feel, and which actually caused some damage in Louisville.
IIRC the theory is that the New Madrid fault is related to glacial rebound, in that the middle part of the continent's crust was compressed due to the weight of ice from the last ice age, and is slowly expanding back to its natural state. As the theory goes we should expect earthquakes to begin migrating northward toward someplace in the middle of Canada, when they'll cease.
I see from Google Earth that over the past week there have been 3-4 small tremors in the New Madrid area (~1.5 on the Richter scale), too.
:yeah:
Let's organize a relief effort for the poor citizens of Chicago. :swiss:
G.
I'm gonna adopt some Chicago children.
We have had some minor tremors in Poland recently too. Maybe the Earth is falling apart. :o
Quote from: Martinus on February 10, 2010, 08:21:32 AM
We have had some minor tremors in Poland recently too. Maybe the Earth is falling apart. :o
It's the magnetic shift prophecized that should culminate in 2012! :secret:
Alternately there's the theory about a micro black hole being launched against us by neighbooring aliens, that arrived in Russia in 1908 and that's about to goble up the Earth. :cthulu:
G.
Nice work, boys. :)
Blimey, I had no idea earthquakes happened there, I always thought it was nice and safe in the middle of the American plate. This New Madrid fault thing is new to me...interesting...
Quote from: Caliga on February 10, 2010, 06:09:16 AM
This is interesting because there is a theory that the New Madrid mid-continental fault is 'migrating' northward. There was an earthquake in southern Illinois two years ago (oddly at almost the same time of day) which I did feel, and which actually caused some damage in Louisville.
IIRC the theory is that the New Madrid fault is related to glacial rebound, in that the middle part of the continent's crust was compressed due to the weight of ice from the last ice age, and is slowly expanding back to its natural state. As the theory goes we should expect earthquakes to begin migrating northward toward someplace in the middle of Canada, when they'll cease.
That can't be good for home prices.
Is that possible though? The last major new madrid quake (that i know of at least) was 200 years ago and centered in Missouri (I think). Chicago is significantly north of there. The glaciers left thousands of years ago; it doesn't seem likely that the line would move so far north so quickly.
Quote from: alfred russel on February 10, 2010, 12:41:11 PM
Quote from: Caliga on February 10, 2010, 06:09:16 AM
This is interesting because there is a theory that the New Madrid mid-continental fault is 'migrating' northward. There was an earthquake in southern Illinois two years ago (oddly at almost the same time of day) which I did feel, and which actually caused some damage in Louisville.
IIRC the theory is that the New Madrid fault is related to glacial rebound, in that the middle part of the continent's crust was compressed due to the weight of ice from the last ice age, and is slowly expanding back to its natural state. As the theory goes we should expect earthquakes to begin migrating northward toward someplace in the middle of Canada, when they'll cease.
That can't be good for home prices.
Is that possible though? The last major new madrid quake (that i know of at least) was 200 years ago and centered in Missouri (I think). Chicago is significantly north of there. The glaciers left thousands of years ago; it doesn't seem likely that the line would move so far north so quickly.
I think Cal's theory is complete nonsense, but glacial rebound that he mentions is very real. Hudson's Bay is very rapidly (geologically speaking) disappearing as the land continues to rise.
IIRC not all earthquakes are connected to tectonic fault lines (although the major ones typcially are). And a 4.3 is nothing. The Richter scale is a exponential scale, with each integer being 10x more powerful than the one before it. Haiti was an 8, so this would be 00.01% of the power of that earthquake.
Quote from: Barrister on February 10, 2010, 12:47:12 PM
Hudson's Bay is very rapidly (geologically speaking) disappearing as the land continues to rise.
That is a tragedy for the baby seals, and the men who club them.
Seals are like Rats. Are Baby rats cute?
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 10, 2010, 12:58:11 PM
Seals are like Rats. Are Baby rats cute?
They are cute.
Just because something's cute doesn't mean it doesn't need a good killing.
Quote from: alfred russel on February 10, 2010, 12:41:11 PM
That can't be good for home prices.
The +500 earthquakes per week have really helped to keep housing affordable in California
http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 10, 2010, 12:58:11 PM
Seals are like Rats. Are Baby rats cute?
The white furry ones are. (not imo but lots of people think so.)
Quote from: Grallon on February 10, 2010, 08:24:27 AM
Quote from: Martinus on February 10, 2010, 08:21:32 AM
We have had some minor tremors in Poland recently too. Maybe the Earth is falling apart. :o
It's the magnetic shift prophecized that should culminate in 2012! :secret:
Alternately there's the theory about a micro black hole being launched against us by neighbooring aliens, that arrived in Russia in 1908 and that's about to goble up the Earth. :cthulu:
G.
The Tunguska Event was teh result of a PKE surge of massive proportions. The Twinkie size would be like a modern football statium.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on February 10, 2010, 01:13:59 PM
The Tunguska Event was teh result of a PKE surge of massive proportions. The Twinkie size would be like a modern football statium.
"Who you gonna call?" :)
I thought it was all the fault of the Vulcans, myself.
Quote from: Barrister on February 10, 2010, 12:47:12 PM
IIRC not all earthquakes are connected to tectonic fault lines (although the major ones typcially are). And a 4.3 is nothing. The Richter scale is a exponential scale, with each integer being 10x more powerful than the one before it. Haiti was an 8, so this would be 00.01% of the power of that earthquake.
And when you look at energy release it's even worse.
Quote from: Tyr on February 10, 2010, 12:08:22 PM
Blimey, I had no idea earthquakes happened there, I always thought it was nice and safe in the middle of the American plate. This New Madrid fault thing is new to me...interesting...
Same here. <_<
I didn't feel the quake, but I was out cold. I did feel the last one (and it's tremors after).
Quote from: Caliga on February 10, 2010, 06:09:16 AM
As the theory goes we should expect earthquakes to begin migrating northward toward someplace in the middle of Canada, when they'll cease.
You know, Winnipeg could only be improved by an 8.0 earthquake. 9.0 would be even better.
Quote from: Neil on February 10, 2010, 02:06:47 PM
Quote from: Caliga on February 10, 2010, 06:09:16 AM
As the theory goes we should expect earthquakes to begin migrating northward toward someplace in the middle of Canada, when they'll cease.
You know, Winnipeg could only be improved by an 8.0 earthquake. 9.0 would be even better.
Winnipeg has some beautiful old buildings that would be destroyed in an earthquake. :mad:
Quote from: Neil on February 10, 2010, 02:06:47 PM
You know, Winnipeg could only be improved by an 8.0 earthquake. 9.0 would be even better.
The floods haven't helped yet so you're probably being optimistic.
Quote from: merithyn on February 10, 2010, 01:52:44 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 10, 2010, 12:08:22 PM
Blimey, I had no idea earthquakes happened there, I always thought it was nice and safe in the middle of the American plate. This New Madrid fault thing is new to me...interesting...
Same here. <_<
I didn't feel the quake, but I was out cold. I did feel the last one (and it's tremors after).
You didn't know about the New Madrid fault?
Quote from: Barrister on February 10, 2010, 12:47:12 PM
I think Cal's theory is complete nonsense, but glacial rebound that he mentions is very real. Hudson's Bay is very rapidly (geologically speaking) disappearing as the land continues to rise.
IIRC not all earthquakes are connected to tectonic fault lines (although the major ones typcially are). And a 4.3 is nothing. The Richter scale is a exponential scale, with each integer being 10x more powerful than the one before it. Haiti was an 8, so this would be 00.01% of the power of that earthquake.
It's not "my theory", but since I have no idea where I read about it in the past, I unfortunately cannot provide more details on it. Isostatic rebound will also eventually make both the Great Lakes system and the Baltic Sea vanish. I think it's reasonable to assume that changes in the shape of the crust/reduction in pressure on it could cause seismic activity though. What's unreasonable about that? :unsure: I realize you have a degree in geology and certainly know more about this topic than I do, so my question is not meant to be a leading one.
Caucasian fight! :punk:
Yes, Cal, rebound does cause quakes and yes they are orders of magnitude smaller than fault line quakes.
An earth quake is just that - movement of the earth. It can be caused by just about any large force: explosives, an asteroid, landslides, volcano, can all cause earthquakes, to name a few.
I have no problem believing glacial rebound could cause small quakes. What it won't do is cause new tectonic fault lines.
Quote from: Barrister on February 10, 2010, 02:13:28 PM
Winnipeg has some beautiful old buildings that would be destroyed in an earthquake. :mad:
Their sacrifice would not be in vain.
I had heard that Oprah fell out of bed. I hope she is ok?!?
Quote from: Razgovory on February 10, 2010, 02:59:02 PM
Quote from: merithyn on February 10, 2010, 01:52:44 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 10, 2010, 12:08:22 PM
Blimey, I had no idea earthquakes happened there, I always thought it was nice and safe in the middle of the American plate. This New Madrid fault thing is new to me...interesting...
Same here. <_<
I didn't feel the quake, but I was out cold. I did feel the last one (and it's tremors after).
You didn't know about the New Madrid fault?
I learned about it after the last earthquake. I mean, I'd heard of it, but didn't really understand what it was. Now I know.. and I'm not happy. :mad:
Quote from: merithyn on February 10, 2010, 10:39:18 PM
I learned about it after the last earthquake. I mean, I'd heard of it, but didn't really understand what it was. Now I know.. and I'm not happy. :mad:
SF: Oh cry me a river. :rolleyes:
Quote from: merithyn on February 10, 2010, 10:39:18 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on February 10, 2010, 02:59:02 PM
Quote from: merithyn on February 10, 2010, 01:52:44 PM
Quote from: Tyr on February 10, 2010, 12:08:22 PM
Blimey, I had no idea earthquakes happened there, I always thought it was nice and safe in the middle of the American plate. This New Madrid fault thing is new to me...interesting...
Same here. <_<
I didn't feel the quake, but I was out cold. I did feel the last one (and it's tremors after).
You didn't know about the New Madrid fault?
I learned about it after the last earthquake. I mean, I'd heard of it, but didn't really understand what it was. Now I know.. and I'm not happy. :mad:
Why are you not happy? There is nothing you can do about it.