Earthquake E-mails

I know at some point I mentioned that there are e-mails that I receive once per day outlining all the seismic activity logged around the world. The e-mails are always one week behind.

The earthquake must not have been too hard to see coming that created the tsunami that whacked Japan... on this first report dated 9 March, the red is the 7.2 magnitude foreshock that hit the Honshu area after several days of much smaller foreshocks.

Here is the e-mail I received for 9 March 2011:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NO. 1-075
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MAR 16, 2011
NEIC/WDCS-D QUICK EPICENTER DETERMINATIONS

UTC TIME LAT LONG DEP GS MAGS Q SD GAP STA F-E REGION AND COMMENTS
HRMNSEC MB Msz USED

MAR 09
013034.0* 19.476S 171.700E 81? 4.7 C 1.1 121 28 VANUATU REGION
014749.4 52.880N 160.670E 50 4.5 A 0.9 162 54 OFF E CST KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA
024520.2 38.424N 142.836E 32G A 1.0 29 494 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN. MW 7.3 (WCMT), 7.2 (GS). ME 7.2 (GS). Felt (V) at Misawa and Sendai; (III) at Tokyo, Yokohama and Yokosuka; (II) at Sagamihara. Felt in much of eastern Honshu and southern Hokkaido. Broadband Source Parameters (GS): Dep 3.2 km; Radiated energy 1.3*10**15 Nm. Complex earthquake. Centroid, Moment Tensor (WCMT): Centroid origin time 02:45:18.0; Lat 38.51 N; Lon 142.99 E; Dep 35.0 km; Principal axes (scale 10**19 Nm): (T) Val=9.86, Plg=59, Azm=294; (N) Val=0.03, Plg=2, Azm=200; (P) Val=-9.89, Plg=30, Azm=109; Best double couple: Mo=9.9*10**19 Nm; NP1: Strike=192, Dip=14, Slip=81; NP2: Strike=21, Dip=76, Slip=92. Scalar Moment (PPT): Mo=9.4*10**19 Nm.
025716.3 38.358N 142.893E 21 5.7 A 1.0 34 293 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
030835.9 38.339N 143.097E 24 5.2 A 1.0 79 246 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
031900.1 38.795N 142.962E 20 5.0 A 0.7 132 89 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.4 (GS). mbLg 3.8 (GS).
040553.7 38.870N 142.420E 11 5.2 A 1.2 102 74 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
041539.1 38.857N 142.658E 13 4.8 A 0.9 135 41 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.1 (GS). mbLg 3.6 (GS).
043210.0 38.727N 143.001E 32 5.2 A 0.9 101 169 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
043703.7 38.666N 142.991E 26 5.7 A 0.7 85 238 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.5 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
044554.0 38.543N 142.740E 27 5.3 A 1.6 121 105 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.4 (GS).
052706.4 37.830N 145.135E 10 4.7 A 1.3 166 28 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 3.6 (GS).
061213.4 38.681N 143.022E 10 4.9 A 0.7 135 52 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.3 (GS). mbLg 3.7 (GS).
062512.3 38.299N 143.067E 11 5.1 A 0.9 104 184 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
071348.4 38.246N 143.108E 10 5.0 A 0.8 135 83 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.0 (GS).
075627.7 38.849N 142.928E 11 5.1 A 0.7 117 194 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.1 (GS).
080236.3 38.606N 143.103E 15 5.3 A 0.5 97 214 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
085538.3 38.668N 143.055E 16 4.8 A 0.6 118 84 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.1 (GS). mbLg 3.5 (GS).
101339.5 38.721N 143.090E 27 4.7 A 0.7 133 56 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
102658.8& 39.900N 111.970W 0 13 UTAH. . MD 2.2 (SLC).
Felt at Elberta.
110508.6* 19.407N 75.395W 5G B 1.6 132 6 CUBA REGION. ML 3.5 (GS). ML
3.5 (GS). Felt at Santiago de Cuba.
112751.5 38.530N 143.040E 28 5.1 A 0.8 90 167 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
120317.7 38.357N 143.119E 13 4.7 A 0.7 98 72 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
132407.8 27.462S 68.853W 108D 5.0 A 0.8 94 178 CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA
135141.7 20.216S 174.350W 133* 5.1 B 1.0 127 45 TONGA
135727.8 8.631N 92.395E 23 5.3 A 0.9 64 132 NICOBAR ISL, INDIA REGION
142405.9 38.589N 143.226E 10G 4.8 A 0.9 104 48 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
175727.2 18.714N 121.430E 60 4.9 A 1.3 116 44 LUZON, PHILIPPINES. ML 5.3
(GS).
181614.6 38.378N 142.506E 10 A 1.5 30 394 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. MW 6.0 (GS), 6.0 (WCMT), 6.1 (UCMT). ME 6.2 (GS). mbLg
5.4 (GS). Broadband Source Parameters (GS): Dep 22 km; Radiated energy
4.3*10**13 Nm. Centroid, Moment Tensor (WCMT): Centroid origin time
18:16:15.0; Lat 38.13 N; Lon 142.94 E; Dep 20.0 km; Principal axes
(scale 10**18 Nm): (T) Val=1.36, Plg=58, Azm=299; (N) Val=-0.09, Plg=2,
Azm=204; (P) Val=-1.27, Plg=30, Azm=113; Best double couple:
Mo=1.3*10**18 Nm; NP1: Strike=195, Dip=14, Slip=79; NP2: Strike=25,
Dip=76, Slip=93. Moment Tensor (GS): Dep 22 km; Principal axes (scale
10**18 Nm): (T) Val=1.25, Plg=57, Azm=319; (N) Val=0.08, Plg=18,
Azm=198; (P) Val=-1.33, Plg=26, Azm=99; Best double couple:
Mo=1.3*10**18 Nm; NP1: Strike=24, Dip=74, Slip=109; NP2: Strike=153,
Dip=25, Slip=42. Scalar Moment (PPT): Mo=2.8*10**18 Nm.
184435.0 38.502N 143.199E 1 A 0.9 40 361 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. MW 5.9 (WCMT), 6.0 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS). Centroid, Moment
Tensor (WCMT): Centroid origin time 18:44:35.0; Lat 38.50 N; Lon 143.40
E; Dep 20.0 km; Principal axes (scale 10**17 Nm): (T) Val=8.50, Plg=53,
Azm=302; (N) Val=-0.10, Plg=5, Azm=205; (P) Val=-8.30, Plg=35, Azm=111;
Best double couple: Mo=8.0*10**17 Nm; NP1: Strike=175, Dip=10, Slip=59;
NP2: Strike=26, Dip=81, Slip=95.
204830.9 35.214N 92.385W 3 A 0.9 44 45 ARKANSAS. MD 4.2 (GS). mbLg
3.5 (GS).
210057.7 38.267N 142.580E 23 4.9 A 1.3 123 88 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 3.9 (GS).
212218.0 38.385N 142.642E 23 A 1.0 107 294 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ME 5.9 (GS). WP 6.1 (GS). mbLg 5.2 (GS). Broadband Source
Parameters (GS): Dep 23 km; Radiated energy 1.8*10**13 Nm. Scalar Moment
(PPT): Mo=6.3*10**18 Nm.
212452.7 5.980S 149.667E 51 A 1.2 39 91 NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA
NEW GUINEA. MW 6.4 (WCMT). WP 6.6 (HON). Broadband Source Parameters
(GS): Dep 29 km. Centroid, Moment Tensor (WCMT): Centroid origin time
21:24:51.0; Lat 6.02 S; Lon 149.66 E; Dep 29.0 km; Principal axes (scale
10**18 Nm): (T) Val=5.50, Plg=70, Azm=347; (N) Val=-0.30, Plg=1, Azm=81;
(P) Val=-5.20, Plg=19, Azm=171; Best double couple: Mo=5.0*10**18 Nm;
NP1: Strike=264, Dip=26, Slip=93; NP2: Strike=81, Dip=64, Slip=89.
233700.7 38.438N 143.185E 33 5.4 A 0.6 46 320 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
235741.7 38.308N 143.275E 20 4.8 A 1.0 114 92 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 3.8 (GS).


There were three larger mid-range quakes (6.0, 6.6) listed and 25 minor to unnoticeable shocks recorded. Not a good sign.

For 10 March, this is what I received:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NO. 1-076
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MAR 17, 2011
NEIC QUICK EPICENTER DETERMINATIONS

UTC TIME LAT LONG DEP GS MAGS SD STA REGION--COMMENTS
HRMNSEC MB Msz USED

MAR 10
NO EVENTS LOCATED


I've been receiving these e-mails for the better part of ten years and I have never, ever seen a day with no recorded events. It is as if the planet was holding its breath... I experienced four earthquakes over my lifetime of living in New Jersey, and the stillness outside was always the dead giveaway that something was about to happen...

And 11 March:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NO. 1-077
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MAR 18, 2011
NEIC/WDCS-D QUICK EPICENTER DETERMINATIONS

UTC TIME LAT LONG DEP GS MAGS Q SD GAP STA F-E REGION AND COMMENTS
HRMNSEC MB Msz USED

MAR 11
001451.4 54.369S 116.808W 10 5.3 A 1.0 148 43 SOUTHERN EAST PACIFIC RISE
040539.2 19.500N 109.074W 10G 4.4 A 1.3 198 114 REVILLA GIGEDO ISL REGION
042821.7 47.875N 154.086E 50 4.8 A 0.7 148 90 KURIL ISLANDS
054623.0 38.291N 142.405E 20 A 1.4 17 355 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN. MW 9.0 (UCMT), 9.0 Magnitude (WCMT), 8.9 (GS). ME 8.6 (GS). Broadband Source Parameters (GS): Radiated energy 1.9*10**17 Nm. Centroid, Moment Tensor (WCMT): Centroid origin time 05:46:23.0; Lat 38.32 N; Lon 142.97 E; Dep 24.0 km; Principal axes (scale 10**22 Nm): (T) Val=3.88, Plg=59, Azm=295; (N) Val=0.03, Plg=2, Azm=201; (P) Val=-3.92, Plg=30, Azm=110; Best double couple: Mo=3.9*10**22 Nm; NP1: Strike=193, Dip=14, Slip=81; NP2: Strike=22, Dip=76, Slip=92. Centroid, Moment Tensor (UCMT): Centroid origin time 05:47:47.2; Lat 38.49 N; Lon 142.60 E; Dep 10.0 km; Principal axes (scale 10**22 Nm): (T) Val=4.57, Plg=58, Azm=306; (N) Val=-0.05, Plg=5, Azm=208; (P) Val=-4.52, Plg=32, Azm=115; Best double couple: Mo=4.5*10**22 Nm; NP1: Strike=29, Dip=77, Slip=95; NP2: Strike=187, Dip=14, Slip=68. 060613.2 39.007N 142.295E 42 6.4 A 0.7 27 244 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN 060721.0 36.401N 141.863E 33 6.4 A 0.8 28 204 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN 061540.8 36.179N 141.172E 39 6.8 A 1.4 48 108 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN. MW 7.9 (UCMT), 7.9 (UCMT). Centroid, Moment Tensor (UCMT): Centroid origin time 06:15:55.2; Lat 35.94 N; Lon 141.67 E; Dep 30.0 km; Principal axes (scale 10**20 Nm): (T) Val=8.20, Plg=61, Azm=274; (N) Val=-0.78, Plg=4, Azm=12; (P) Val=-7.42, Plg=28, Azm=104; Best double couple: Mo=7.8*10**20 Nm; NP1: Strike=11, Dip=73, Slip=85; NP2: Strike=207, Dip=17, Slip=105.
061803.9& 19.344N 154.989W 9 5 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII.
. MD 3.3 (HVO).
062551.0 38.066N 144.592E 23 7.1 A 0.8 18 446 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
064845.8 37.961N 142.721E 13 6.2 A 0.7 45 287 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
065715.1 35.707N 140.889E 35 6.0 A 0.8 36 311 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
071100.6 37.882N 142.699E 39 5.8 A 0.8 44 265 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
071347.4 36.127N 142.349E 35G 5.9 A 1.0 51 249 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
071457.5 36.588N 141.837E 15 6.3 A 0.9 38 328 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
072536.1 37.933N 144.521E 36 6.1 A 0.8 51 346 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
072813.6 36.806N 141.798E 38 6.1 A 0.6 52 235 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
073826.0 39.217N 142.775E 27 5.9 A 0.7 62 257 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
074250.8 36.381N 141.971E 3* 5.8 B 0.9 72 133 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
075445.1 37.723N 141.584E 48 5.7 A 0.7 78 248 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
075613.7 37.075N 142.312E 24 5.6 A 0.7 84 117 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
080157.3 36.962N 142.687E 21 5.8 A 0.8 52 263 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
081030.7 36.335N 140.717E 31 5.5 A 0.8 112 141 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
081206.8 36.574N 141.506E 35 6.2 A 0.7 28 403 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
081542.0 37.037N 144.525E 42 6.2 A 0.6 83 183 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
081924.6 36.177N 141.534E 8 6.5 A 0.9 18 329 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
083109.2 37.470N 141.165E 36 6.1 A 0.7 51 234 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
084056.8 37.439N 140.986E 46 6.0 A 0.6 69 247 EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN
084646.5 37.412N 142.446E 30 5.6 A 0.6 86 159 OFF E COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
085223.3 36.781N 141.932E 16 5.4 A 0.7 57 212 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
085825.7& 19.341N 154.992W 9 10 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII.
. ML 4.6 (HVO). Felt (IV) at Mountain View, Pa`auilo and Papa`ikou;
(III) at Captain Cook, Hilo, Kea`au, Kurtistown, Pahoa, Pepeekeo and
Volcano; (II) at Honoka`a, Kailua Kona, Waimea and Waikoloa. Also felt
at Hakalau, Hawaii National Park, Hawi, Holualoa, Honaunau, Honomu,
Kealakekua and Ninole.
090019.7 37.056N 141.966E 20 5.2 A 1.5 86 38 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.4 (GS). mbLg 4.0 (GS).
090410.0 37.299N 142.655E 31 5.4 A 0.7 68 175 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.3 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
090914.6 37.717N 143.267E 36 5.5 A 0.6 65 230 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.5 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
093708.4 35.878N 141.585E 30 5.4 A 0.6 47 236 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
094222.4 39.438N 142.749E 30 5.2 A 0.6 122 188 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 5.0 (GS).
094701.7 39.685N 142.938E 30 5.5 A 1.4 114 185 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
095956.9 36.703N 142.207E 42 5.2 A 0.7 104 110 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
101034.8 39.248N 142.779E 29 6.0 A 1.0 82 322 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.8 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
102027.3 36.966N 142.289E 22 5.6 A 0.7 94 209 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
102844.1 39.447N 143.531E 29 5.9 A 0.7 27 298 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
103535.7 37.044N 141.298E 26 5.3 A 0.9 114 149 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.6 (GS).
104546.2 38.466N 143.591E 41 5.5 A 0.7 58 234 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.1 (GS).
105207.7 38.534N 143.346E 30 5.0 A 0.8 115 126 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.1 (GS).
105623.1 35.496N 97.090W 5 A 1.8 88 25 OKLAHOMA. ML 3.6 (GS). mbLg
3.2 (GS). Felt at Harrah and McLoud.
105805.5 39.060N 142.213E 30 5.1 A 0.7 70 114 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
110051.2 37.813N 141.481E 29 5.6 A 0.7 47 309 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 5.2 (GS).
111057.8 35.534N 141.856E 28 5.5 A 0.8 55 170 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
111312.3 36.451N 141.789E 18 5.5 A 0.6 65 184 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
111650.7 36.614N 141.894E 37 5.5 A 1.2 62 170 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.2 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
112102.0 35.759N 140.913E 25 5.7 A 0.6 28 253 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 5.2 (GS).
113639.1 39.276N 142.521E 12 6.5 A 0.7 10 504 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
6.0 (GS). mbLg 5.6 (GS).
114428.2 36.709N 142.231E 31 5.8 A 0.9 61 221 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN.
mbLg 5.2 (GS). ML 5.2 (GS).
114646.9 36.034N 141.055E 48 5.8 A 0.4 147 41 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.6 (GS).
115402.1 36.982N 142.535E 45 5.1 A 1.4 128 42 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
115616.0 36.356N 141.504E 39 5.5 A 0.6 118 112 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
120416.4 36.351N 142.700E 38 5.1 A 1.0 89 50 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.6 (GS).
121253.0 38.052N 142.542E 22 5.9 A 0.6 32 222 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.7 (GS). mbLg 5.1 (GS).
122437.4 36.525N 141.707E 28 5.3 A 0.7 115 170 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
122844.8 36.166N 141.664E 29 5.2 A 0.7 121 122 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.4 (GS).
123318.5 38.374N 142.590E 30 5.2 A 1.2 129 45 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
123422.2 36.912N 143.736E 39 5.3 A 1.1 124 120 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.2 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
124901.4 36.158N 141.711E 25 5.6 A 0.7 97 311 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.2 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
125452.0 38.502N 142.120E 37 5.4 A 0.8 70 273 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 5.0 (GS).
125921.0 36.128N 141.768E 25 5.3 A 1.1 123 72 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.6 (GS).
130243.4 36.756N 141.885E 30 5.3 A 0.6 129 25 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.5 (GS).
131545.1 37.393N 141.882E 30 5.2 A 0.5 114 142 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
131649.7 36.304N 141.730E 30 5.8 A 0.9 117 92 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.3 (GS). mbLg 5.2 (GS).
133154.5 39.152N 142.837E 25 5.1 A 0.6 103 98 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. mbLg
4.4 (GS). ML 4.3 (GS).
133436.0 36.249N 141.850E 36 5.6 A 0.8 115 140 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
134226.9 37.410N 142.009E 25 4.9 A 0.5 122 117 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.5 (GS).
134310.4 38.972N 144.209E 25 5.6 A 0.7 55 191 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
134838.0 38.426N 143.061E 25 5.3 A 0.8 115 188 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.9 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
135532.0 38.131N 142.783E 59 5.2 A 0.6 97 221 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 5.2 (GS).
135849.5 36.681N 141.776E 25 4.9 A 0.5 134 48 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.4 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
140037.7 36.151N 140.845E 31 5.5 A 0.7 84 243 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
141039.2 37.575N 141.963E 26 5.2 A 0.6 114 171 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.9 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
142019.7 37.947N 143.183E 25 5.1 A 0.7 134 107 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.4 (GS).
142630.7 37.431N 142.254E 13 5.4 A 1.2 125 117 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.0 (GS).
144407.5 36.655N 140.769E 25 5.1 A 0.7 133 138 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.3 (GS).
145403.6 35.919N 141.819E 25 5.4 A 0.6 87 108 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
145615.7 35.979N 141.367E 25 5.8 A 0.7 53 272 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. mbLg 5.1 (GS).
150138.6 39.082N 142.383E 26 5.0 A 0.6 97 114 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.4 (GS).
151312.0 36.030N 141.810E 1 6.2 6.3 A 0.7 14 479 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
151937.5 36.233N 141.856E 25 5.6 A 0.6 98 206 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.5 (GS). mbLg 5.3 (GS).
153233.7 37.216N 142.233E 25 5.2 A 0.8 115 139 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
153615.8 38.907N 142.722E 25 4.9 A 0.7 124 82 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.2 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
154205.0 36.066N 141.515E 16 5.4 A 1.0 110 135 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.9 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
154601.8 36.022N 141.958E 20 5.0 A 0.8 100 54 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.3 (GS). mbLg 4.0 (GS).
155059.2 37.409N 142.217E 25 4.9 A 0.6 117 39 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.1 (GS).
155522.7 36.626N 142.162E 25 5.0 A 1.4 139 23 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.0 (GS).
160452.8 39.236N 144.320E 26 5.3 A 0.7 98 137 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
161126.5 39.463N 143.577E 9 5.5 A 1.2 40 249 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.2 (GS). mbLg 4.4 (GS).
162051.7 36.157N 141.877E 25 5.0 A 0.6 122 145 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.1 (GS).
163421.5 39.376N 143.405E 41 5.0 A 1.0 133 171 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.2 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
165452.9 12.304N 87.514W 64 4.8 A 1.4 146 103 NEAR THE COAST OF NICARAGUA.
ML 4.5 (GS).
165552.5 37.779N 143.171E 25 5.0 A 0.6 132 143 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
171116.1 38.508N 144.240E 26 4.9 A 1.0 136 43 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 3.9 (GS).
171237.5 37.487N 144.118E 9 5.0 A 0.7 69 140 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.3 (GS).
171459.5 39.015N 142.517E 52 4.8 A 1.0 96 107 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.2 (GS).
171659.7 37.111N 144.145E 26 5.5 A 0.6 73 231 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.7 (GS). mbLg 5.2 (GS).
172357.2 36.015N 141.888E 25 5.0 A 0.9 103 150 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
173047.8 37.418N 141.099E 25 5.0 A 0.7 104 197 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.6 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
173213.5 37.137N 144.572E 25 5.4 A 0.7 91 242 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
175001.4 37.648N 144.991E 26 5.0 A 0.6 134 110 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
180238.7 36.793N 143.212E 25 4.7 A 1.0 113 41 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.3 (GS).
181124.4 37.118N 142.160E 14 5.7 A 0.7 73 375 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.5 (GS). mbLg 5.2 (GS).
181705.5 36.218N 141.685E 25 5.9 A 0.6 53 354 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.2 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
183933.8 37.916N 143.055E 2 4.9 A 0.8 82 103 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.4 (GS). mbLg 4.0 (GS).
184313.5 40.139N 143.062E 90 4.9 A 1.0 130 93 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 5.3 (GS).
184406.0 36.858N 141.029E 26 5.1 A 0.6 85 196 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
185514.8 35.814N 141.657E 25 4.9 A 0.9 102 130 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
185915.2 37.028N 138.360E 2 6.2 6.2 A 1.2 12 439 NEAR W COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
190259.3 39.367N 142.861E 28 6.1 6.2 A 0.8 14 366 NEAR E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN
192428.5 35.770N 140.639E 25 5.5 A 0.8 55 345 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.3 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
193156.1 36.945N 138.302E 12 5.5 A 0.8 71 303 EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 5.0 (GS).
194524.3 37.653N 141.548E 25 5.2 A 0.6 81 221 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.8 (GS).
194649.4 40.472N 139.070E 1 A 0.8 59 417 NR W CST HONSHU, JAPAN. WP
6.6 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
201122.7 39.025N 142.645E 9 A 0.6 17 471 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. MW
6.3 (GS). mbLg 5.0 (GS).
202343.7 35.818N 141.583E 24 5.5 A 0.6 47 305 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.6 (GS).
203440.4 36.993N 140.985E 25 5.1 A 0.7 102 171 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
203610.2 37.838N 142.847E 25 5.5 A 0.7 31 267 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).
204124.4 37.675N 143.698E 25 5.0 A 1.1 135 67 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.2 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
210045.5 39.048N 142.477E 25 5.4 A 0.7 78 207 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.9 (GS). mbLg 4.4 (GS).
213425.1 37.401N 141.236E 37 4.8 A 0.7 122 88 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
214157.5 37.279N 142.351E 10 5.3 A 0.6 85 213 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.0 (GS). mbLg 4.6 (GS).
220813.5 40.152N 142.219E 48 4.8 A 1.3 165 32 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
3.9 (GS). mbLg 3.8 (GS).
222235.5 39.180N 142.917E 25 4.9 A 0.8 73 44 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. mbLg 3.7 (GS).
222942.0 38.285N 142.636E 25 4.7 A 0.5 134 48 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.2 (GS). mbLg 3.7 (GS).
223656.8 37.097N 143.796E 25 5.0 A 0.6 130 74 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.3 (GS).
224258.5 37.627N 143.801E 27 5.3 A 1.0 101 190 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.7 (GS). mbLg 4.3 (GS).
225118.2 37.807N 144.967E 25 A 0.9 82 298 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. WP
5.8 (GS). mbLg 4.9 (GS).
225428.3 36.494N 142.267E 25 5.4 A 0.8 104 83 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.8 (GS). mbLg 4.5 (GS).
230514.5 39.732N 141.850E 65 4.9 A 0.5 116 123 EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.3 (GS).
232122.0 39.161N 143.296E 25 5.0 A 0.4 146 72 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.2 (GS). mbLg 3.7 (GS).
232650.6 39.178N 142.709E 25 5.3 A 0.7 63 201 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.5 (GS). mbLg 4.2 (GS).
233122.6 33.728N 143.855E 25 4.8 A 1.0 110 33 OFF THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. ML 4.5 (GS).
234011.8 37.073N 143.529E 25 5.1 A 0.7 115 146 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
4.2 (GS). mbLg 3.8 (GS).
235328.6 38.858N 142.452E 25 5.1 A 0.7 104 127 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
HONSHU, JAPAN. mbLg 4.4 (GS).
235803.6 38.460N 143.530E 29 5.3 A 0.8 93 193 OFF E CST HONSHU, JAPAN.
mbLg 4.8 (GS). ML 4.6 (GS).
235921.2 36.499N 141.441E 23 5.4 A 0.7 93 136 NR E CST HONSHU, JAPAN. ML
5.1 (GS). mbLg 4.7 (GS).


You can see in red the major 9.0 magnitude undersea earthquake that hit at 14:46 (Japanese local time) on Friday, 11 March and the subsequent aftershocks that followed. There were many, many of those aftershocks and still are. Today's report was filled with aftershocks from the same fault line: 44 minor to unnoticeable aftershocks, one small one, one that registered 5.8mag, two 6.0mag and one 6.1 magnitude shock.

The people in Japan are accustomed to earthquakes, as Japan lies on one of the most active subduction faults in the world. Subduction means one plate is sliding under the other, which creates the multitudes of volcanoes throughout Japan. This is not like the San Andreas Fault, a slip-strike fault, which tends toward violent earthquakes when the two plates are stuck and then one finally gives and creates the waves that strike Southern California.

Undersea earthquakes are the prime movers that create tsunamis, a Japanese word that means "harbour wave". What does it tell you when a language has a specialised word to describe these deadly waves? This is not to be confused with the term "tidal wave", which really is a storm surge or some other water movement. Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and underwater landslides. While normally associated with oceanic wave motions, large lakes can also experience tsunamis.

As much as I study earthquakes and volcanic activity, I don't wish to experience a tsunami the way I do earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. I suspect that there is no safe distance from which to see these monsters at work. While the moments leading up to a tsunami sound interesting (where the ocean disappears right before the monster wave rolls in) the ensuing chaos would arrive too fast to get out of the way. I've seen films of those moments leading up to a tsunami and that is good enough for me.

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