or increase in seismic detector sensitivity and quantity
No, I don't think that is the reason.
USGS has been detecting earthquakes all over the world (from their Menlo Park, California location) for decades. (They've added more localized sensors around the world and networked things together.)
I have not seen any news on massive replacements/upgrades of detectors ever.
If there's an increase then it's likely due to the fact that over the last 30 years or so more and more technology has been available which means more are picked up in more remote locations such as Papua New Guinea.
If there's an increase then it's likely due to the fact that over the last 30 years or so more and more technology has been available which means more are picked up in more remote locations such as Papua New Guinea.
Not exactly. Due to the science of plate tectonics, USGS has been able to detect significant quakes all over the world for decades.
Now, more local sensors give them better reads on where (surface location, depth), but they still knew about them in the past.
I love that there is an earthquake thread as I have always studied this sort of thing. 5.0-6.0 generally are not major events though. We see around 1300 in that range per year, and this year is right around average if not a little under average in both number of events and energy released. There was a 3.6 in illinois tonight which to me is way more significant than a five somewhere on a plate boundary like japan, or indonesia..
I love that there is an earthquake thread as I have always studied this sort of thing. 5.0-6.0 generally are not major events though. We see around 1300 in that range per year, and this year is right around average if not a little under average in both number of events and energy released. There was a 3.6 in illinois tonight which to me is way more significant than a five somewhere on a plate boundary like japan, or indonesia..
Depends on the ground type and building (if any) type. A 5.0 in California won't have a lot of damage due to building codes that have been around at least 100 years to help mitigate quake damage.
A 5.0 in Missouri, or Mexico City, etc., could have devastating effects due to lack of building codes.
Even a 5 in California could have some damage if built on fill (i.e., SF Marina district where the fire was after the Loma Prieta quake in 1989).
Agreed, but as I said they generally are not newsworthy as there are over 1300 annually. Not at all bashing the thread I just think you will be quite busy updating if 5 is your criteria.
