History of Earthquake in Timeline
Earthquakes, also known as quakes, tremors, or temblors, occur when energy is suddenly released in the Earth's lithosphere, producing seismic waves that cause the Earth's surface to shake. Their intensity varies greatly, from imperceptible tremors to powerful events that can hurl objects and people into the air, damage infrastructure, and devastate entire cities. Seismic activity refers to the frequency, type, and magnitude of earthquakes in a specific region over time, while seismicity measures the average rate of seismic energy released per unit volume at a particular location.
1900: Establishment of Earthquake Averages
Since 1900, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated an average of 18 major earthquakes (magnitude 7.0–7.9) and one great earthquake (magnitude 8.0 or greater) per year. This average has remained relatively stable.
1906: San Francisco Earthquake's Impact on Popular Culture
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake has left a lasting impact on modern popular culture, shaping how earthquakes are perceived and portrayed in various forms of media.
1906: The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake is an example of an earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, a strike-slip fault, with a rupture length about half to one-third as long as those along subducting plate margins.
1906: San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
More deaths in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake were caused by fires than by the earthquake itself, underscoring the significant secondary impacts of earthquakes, particularly the risk of fires due to damaged infrastructure.
1913: Earth's Core Location
In 1913, Beno Gutenberg located the Earth's core by analyzing seismograms, marking a significant milestone in our understanding of the Earth's internal structure.
1931: Increase in Seismic Stations
In 1931, there were about 350 seismic stations, leading to a significant increase in the number of earthquakes reported due to improved instrumentation rather than an actual increase in the frequency of earthquakes.
1935: Richter Scale Development
Charles Francis Richter developed the first scale for measuring earthquake magnitudes in 1935. This scale revolutionized the way earthquakes were measured and categorized, providing a standardized method for assessing their intensity.
1939: The 1939 Erzincan Earthquake
The 1939 Erzincan earthquake that occurred on the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey is an example of a strike-slip fault, with a rupture length about half to one-third as long as those along subducting plate margins.
1957: The 1957 Alaska Earthquake
In 1957, a major earthquake occurred in Alaska, serving as an example of an earthquake along subduction zones.
May 1960: The Great Chilean Earthquake
The Great Chilean earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.5, was the largest earthquake ever measured on a seismograph in May 1960.
1960: The Great Chilean Earthquake
In 1960, the largest earthquake ever recorded at a magnitude of 9.5 occurred in Chile. Its epicenter was near Cañete, Chile.
1960: The Great Chilean Earthquake
The 1960 Chilean earthquake, occurring in a subduction zone, is one of the largest earthquakes recorded.
March 1964: The Good Friday Earthquake
In March 1964, the Good Friday earthquake occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The energy released during the Chilean earthquake was approximately twice that of the Good Friday earthquake.
1964: Soil Liquefaction in Alaska Earthquake
During the 1964 Alaska earthquake, soil liquefaction caused numerous buildings to sink into the ground, ultimately collapsing. This event highlighted the devastating impact of soil liquefaction on infrastructure during earthquakes.
1964: The 1964 Alaska Earthquake
The 1964 Alaska earthquake, occurring along a converging plate margin, provided evidence that the width of the rupture plane within the top brittle crust of the Earth can reach 50–100 km, making powerful earthquakes possible.
1968: Publication of 'The Ragged Edge'
The novel 'The Ragged Edge', published in 1968, centers around the immediate aftermath of a fictional earthquake, further shaping the public's perception of these natural disasters.
1972: Publication of 'Short Walk to Daylight'
The novel 'Short Walk to Daylight' was published in 1972, focusing on the immediate aftermath of a fictional earthquake, contributing to the popular culture narrative of sudden and devastating earthquakes.
1976: The Tangshan Earthquake
In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake, the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century, occurred in China, killing between 240,000 and 655,000 people.
1977: Publication of 'Goodbye California'
The novel 'Goodbye California', published in 1977, depicts the hypothetical 'Big One' earthquake anticipated along California's San Andreas Fault, further solidifying this event in popular culture as a looming threat.
1980: The 1980 Eruption of Mount St. Helens
In 1980, earthquakes served as an early warning for the eruption of Mount St. Helens.
1995: Kobe Earthquake's Impact on Popular Culture
The devastating 1995 Kobe earthquake, like the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, has significantly shaped the portrayal of earthquakes in modern popular culture, emphasizing the destructive power of these natural disasters.
1996: Publication of 'Richter 10'
The novel 'Richter 10', published in 1996, features the hypothetical 'Big One' earthquake expected to occur along California's San Andreas Fault, contributing to public awareness and anxiety surrounding this potential disaster.
1999: Publication of 'Aftershock: Earthquake in New York'
The novel 'Aftershock: Earthquake in New York', published in 1999, explores the immediate aftermath of a fictional earthquake in New York City, adding to the growing body of literature focused on the immediate consequences of these events.
2001: The 2001 Kunlun earthquake
The 2001 Kunlun earthquake caused an unusually wide zone of damage attributed to the effects of the sonic boom developed in supershear earthquakes.
2002: The 2002 Denali Earthquake
The 2002 Denali earthquake in Alaska is an example of an earthquake on the Denali Fault, a strike-slip fault, with a rupture length about half to one-third as long as those along subducting plate margins.
2004: Earthquake swarm at Yellowstone National Park
In 2004, an earthquake swarm occurred at Yellowstone National Park.
2004: The 2004 Sumatra Earthquake
In 2004, the Sumatra earthquake, another example of an earthquake in a subduction zone, occurred.
2004: The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake is one of the deadliest earthquakes in history. All ten of the largest recorded earthquakes have been megathrust earthquakes.
2008: Possible Human-Induced Earthquake in Sichuan
The 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan in 2008 has been suggested to be potentially induced by the loading from the Zipingpu Dam, although a conclusive link has not been established. This raises questions about the impact of large infrastructure projects on seismic activity.
2009: Publication of 'San Andreas'
The novel 'San Andreas', published in 2015, focuses on the anticipated 'Big One' earthquake along California's San Andreas Fault, further fueling public imagination and concern surrounding this possible disaster.
2011: The 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake
In 2011, the Tōhoku earthquake in Japan, along a converging plate margin, demonstrated that the width of the rupture plane within the top brittle crust of the Earth can reach 50–100 km, making powerful earthquakes possible.
2011: Gravitational Analysis of Tohoku-Oki Earthquake
Scientists analyzed gravitational records associated with the 2011 Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake, confirming the potential of gravitational measurement for instantaneous earthquake detection. This research provided valuable data for the development of new earthquake detection methods.
2011: Human-Induced Earthquake in Oklahoma
The 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma in 2011 is believed to have been caused by the disposal of wastewater from oil production into injection wells. This event highlights the potential for human activities to trigger earthquakes.
August 2012: Earthquake swarm in Southern California's Imperial Valley
In August 2012, an earthquake swarm shook Southern California's Imperial Valley, showing the most recorded activity in the area since the 1970s.
2012: Publication of '2012'
The novel '2012', published in 2009, includes depictions of the hypothetical 'Big One' earthquake along California's San Andreas Fault, amplifying the public's fascination with this potential catastrophic event.
2015: Publication of 'A Comparative Seismology'
Jacob M. Appel's short story 'A Comparative Seismology' features a con artist exploiting fears of an apocalyptic earthquake, highlighting how anxieties surrounding earthquakes can be manipulated and exploited.
2016: Gravitational Earthquake Detection
In 2016, scientists discovered that gravitational measurement could provide instantaneous detection of earthquakes. This breakthrough was confirmed through the analysis of gravitational records associated with the 2011 Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake, potentially revolutionizing early earthquake warning systems.