Heat creates pressure and expansion that will result in greater levels of earthquake activity. In a perfect sphere and according to our orbit, there should be more earthquakes in the mid-latitude of our planet due to the centrifugal force of the rotation and amount of daily sunshine in this region. Additionally, the planet’s orbit brings us closer to the sun during the Southern Hemisphere's summer and in a sphere there is more area around the mid-latitude and declines as you move towards the poles.
At the time, back in 2015, researching earthquakes at a level of 7.0 and larger and limiting the depth to 35 km since 1900 began to reveal more about our planet by observing them as a cycle. This is the barrier where the surface crust transforms and the heat rises high enough to melt granite at sea level and would be affected the greatest by the expansion and contraction of the earth’s plates. Data and research utilized the USGS Earthquake Search Page.
At the time, back in 2015, researching earthquakes at a level of 7.0 and larger and limiting the depth to 35 km since 1900 began to reveal more about our planet by observing them as a cycle. This is the barrier where the surface crust transforms and the heat rises high enough to melt granite at sea level and would be affected the greatest by the expansion and contraction of the earth’s plates. Data and research utilized the USGS Earthquake Search Page.
Breaking the planet down, there are 180 degrees of latitude in our world. Separating these into 18 increments, 10 degrees per increment, large-scale earthquakes above 7.0 were then plotted since 1900. From the equator to the South Pole, the numbers are as follows: 296, 221, 168, 55, 26, 28, 19, 0, and 0. As we travel toward the South Pole, the number of earthquakes gradually declines other than the 28 being greater than the 26. In the Northern Hemisphere, from the equator to the North Pole, the numbers are as follows: 162, 167, 125, 190, 170, 118, 13, 2, and 0.
Between the thirtieth and fortieth parallel north there are 190 earthquakes compared to only fifty-five in the south. In this region there is massive land distribution of both North America and Asia, followed by the next region at the fortieth to fiftieth parallel with 170, that also includes Europe. In the southern region we find that there are only twenty-six and there are more earthquakes along this latitude than even the area from the equator just north to the tenth parallel, and there is significantly more surface area. This clearly indicates that heat distribution across the plates exposed above the water have the greatest influence on earthquake activity.
Between the thirtieth and fortieth parallel north there are 190 earthquakes compared to only fifty-five in the south. In this region there is massive land distribution of both North America and Asia, followed by the next region at the fortieth to fiftieth parallel with 170, that also includes Europe. In the southern region we find that there are only twenty-six and there are more earthquakes along this latitude than even the area from the equator just north to the tenth parallel, and there is significantly more surface area. This clearly indicates that heat distribution across the plates exposed above the water have the greatest influence on earthquake activity.
Understanding these forces, earthquakes were reviewed once again to see if any pattern could now be ascertained. The heating and cooling, causing both expansion and contraction of the plates, are examined by seasons according to their locations. During periods of transitions between hot and cold, expansion and contraction, the surface demonstrated heightened activity in this layer. Heat causes pressure and stress, and earthquakes are a form of stress cracks, the same we find in machines subject to extensive heat.
In this graph, we can see that the West Coast of the US has never experienced an earthquake of 6.5 or greater in the months of August and September over the past 114 years. This is not a coincidence and such historical activity occurs around the world with different variables depending upon their location. In California, they actually have experienced a period of 86 days, July 21 through October 15, with no earthquakes at 6.5 or greater since 1900.
In this graph, we can see that the West Coast of the US has never experienced an earthquake of 6.5 or greater in the months of August and September over the past 114 years. This is not a coincidence and such historical activity occurs around the world with different variables depending upon their location. In California, they actually have experienced a period of 86 days, July 21 through October 15, with no earthquakes at 6.5 or greater since 1900.
Large scale earthquakes were found to accelerate during November and settle down after May. This heightened activity from November to May is due to the volcanic activity in this region that naturally accelerates during the contraction phase.
Click here to learn more about this volcanic cycle.
When looking over the past couple years we can see this cycle continue and shift to later in the year following weather anomalies experienced on the surface. Over the past couple of years we have entered into winter late across the Midwest resisting the onset of frost and made the News in 2015 and again hitting record late season frosts in 2016.
There have been 26 Earthquakes at 35km or less in the Northern Hemisphere from January 1, 2015 to July 9, 2017, including the equatorial region. On April 24th and 25th Nepal experienced three earthquakes within this region, one was removed due to being an immediate aftershock bringing the total down to 25. One in Nepal occurring the following day and is added to this graph. These can be viewed here already set to the region, depths and magnitude at the USGS site. Earthquakes Search.
There have been 26 Earthquakes at 35km or less in the Northern Hemisphere from January 1, 2015 to July 9, 2017, including the equatorial region. On April 24th and 25th Nepal experienced three earthquakes within this region, one was removed due to being an immediate aftershock bringing the total down to 25. One in Nepal occurring the following day and is added to this graph. These can be viewed here already set to the region, depths and magnitude at the USGS site. Earthquakes Search.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
We know that ground tremors and earthquakes are associated with large volcanic eruptions. As a result, earthquakes are more frequent during increased volcanic activity from January through June in comparison to the last six months of the year. Using the USGS site, earthquakes were plotted out in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Northern Hemisphere. This region acts as a seam allowing our world to expand and contract, in the same way that the railroads must have seams to allow for expansion and contraction of their tracks to prevent them from buckling. With our world, this seam allows for moderate transitions of seasons, without it there would be massive buckling resulting in uplift and earthquakes. Data indicates that 72% occurred during the months of January through June, and only 28% from July to December with only one occurring in December. These are the exact same figures found when Volcanic eruptions in the Northern Hemisphere were plotted out since 1900 and are both plotted together in this graph. The deep ocean floor remains very cool and stable and is not susceptible to the seasonal earthquakes due to the expansion and contraction of the continental plates along the continental boundaries, but is subject to the seasonal heating and cooling and the overall expansion and pressure of the hemisphere due to the land to water ratio in the north. The plates begin to heat in April on the surface and the energy increases as the season continues, and by July expands and stabilizes. In October there is a shift in energy as the plates begin to cool, and there is a spike during this season above the seas indicating that a region is under high pressure in a weak formation, or the earthquake generates activity, and then settles down until January. We know very little about deep water volcanic activity, but this knowledge allows us insight into this region and how it impacts our weather.
When deep water eruptions occur the heat is then spontaneously transferred upwards resulting in a warming of the surface waters, a basic law of heat. This aids in precipitation, storms, hurricanes and alterations in the jet streams, such as an El Niño event. This heat, along with the sun and the rising heat from the land masses during the summer bleeds heat into the oceans and becomes a major driving force of our weather. This is a vital part of our planets system as it expels and regenerates chemicals throughout the system and increases water evaporation that brings our rains inland. With a warming world, an increase in activity would occur and alter the normal chemical compositions resulting in a form of climate change under water as life is forced to alter, migrate, or die off in regions of accelerated activity.
When deep water eruptions occur the heat is then spontaneously transferred upwards resulting in a warming of the surface waters, a basic law of heat. This aids in precipitation, storms, hurricanes and alterations in the jet streams, such as an El Niño event. This heat, along with the sun and the rising heat from the land masses during the summer bleeds heat into the oceans and becomes a major driving force of our weather. This is a vital part of our planets system as it expels and regenerates chemicals throughout the system and increases water evaporation that brings our rains inland. With a warming world, an increase in activity would occur and alter the normal chemical compositions resulting in a form of climate change under water as life is forced to alter, migrate, or die off in regions of accelerated activity.
There are many forces at work involved in earthquakes, the expansion and contraction of the plates are only one. The shifting tides moving massive amounts of weight across our planet is a very dynamic player as well. Monsoons bring with it massive amounts of weight on to the Indian Continent that may be an additional catalyst of Himalayan earthquakes in this graph.
There is so much research to be done, and it's much easier to find something when you know what your looking for. This is why we would like to team up with others and expand our resources to better future generations. No one can every say that an earthquake will happen here on this day, or here on that day, but this does give us insight for regions that are prone to this kind of activity. Just as we prepare and create awareness for hurricane seasons, now we can also prepare and create Earthquake awareness during specific times of the year too.
There is so much research to be done, and it's much easier to find something when you know what your looking for. This is why we would like to team up with others and expand our resources to better future generations. No one can every say that an earthquake will happen here on this day, or here on that day, but this does give us insight for regions that are prone to this kind of activity. Just as we prepare and create awareness for hurricane seasons, now we can also prepare and create Earthquake awareness during specific times of the year too.