Earthquake Summary for November 26, 2001

Earthquake Summary for November 26, 2001

Posted by Lowell on November 26, 2001 at 19:10:16:

MODERATE SEISMIC ACTIVITY ABOUNDS IN CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN REGION

SUMMARY

A series of earthquake occurred this morning in the area of the
northcentral Mediterranean. These events included a Mb 5.2 and 4.6
in Crete; an Mb 4.6 in Central Italy and a Mb 5.1 in Sicily.
The parameters of these events from NEIS are:

O: 26Nov2001 05:03:22 34.9N 24.3E MB=5.2 NEIS CRETE, GREECE
O: 26Nov2001 04:21:45 34.8N 24.1E MB=4.6 NEIS CRETE, GREECE
O: 26Nov2001 00:56:55 43.5N 12.2E MB=4.6 NEIS CENTRAL ITALY
O: 25Nov2001 19:34:21 37.9N 14.0E MB=5.1 NEIS SICILY, ITALY

CRETE:

The epicenter near Crete has experienced 34 listed earthquakes
of Mb>=5 within a radius of 50 km since 1900. The last occurred more
than four years ago in January and early November, 1997 (Mb 5.0 and 5.4
respectively). There have been 9 such events since 1980, about one every
two years. Only 17 events of Mb>=5.2 have occurred, however, of which
5 have occurred in the past 20 years (about one every 4 years).

CENTRAL ITALY:

Central Italy is relatively quiet seismically. This is only
the fifth earthquake within 50 km of this epicenter of Mb>=4.5
since 1965. The others occurred on Aug 19, 1970 (Mb 5.1); Jan 5, 1982
(Mb 4.8); May 2, 1987 (Mb 4.9) the latest occurred more than 10 years
ago on Jan. 14, 1991 (Mb 4.9).

SICILY

The Mb 5.1 near Sicily was also a most unusual event. Records indicate
that only two earthquakes of Mb>=5 have been reported within 50 km
of this epicenter in the past. Those occurred on Oct. 31, 1967 (Mb 5.4)
and Dec. 23, 1959 (Mb 5.5).

RELATIONSHIPS TO KUNLUN MTS. GREAT SHOCK

Both the Sicily and the Northern/Central Italy events were expected FFA
from the Kunlun Mountains mainshock as they lie at 59 and 61 degrees
from that earthquake. The FFA forecast had stated that FFA were expected
at:

"59-61 degrees: ... Sicily, No. Italy"

and

"Secondary location where event tend to occur but are not
as large or as likely . MB>=4.8 considered likely in next
10 days.

Central Italy
Ionian Sea"

(The Ionian Sea lies just east of Sicily)

RELATIONSHIPS TO THE X1.1 CLASS SOLAR FLARE EARLIER IN THE DAY

All three events also fall within the 20 degrees from the longitude
(34E) which sub-solar at the time of the occurrence of an X1.1 class
solar flare on 25 November. The region within 20 degrees longitude of 34E was
considered particularly vulnerable to triggering effects as noted in the
report from Nov. 25:

"This flare occurred while Alaska was anti-solar (146W) and Turkey
was sub-solar (34E) ...... However, the strongest activity
within 20 degrees longitude of the sub- and anti-solar points occurred
about 10 hours later in the regin of Sicily (14E) and was Mb 5.0+.
... the expected anti-solar triggering area (20 degrees longitude about
sub- and anti-solar points for the next day)."

OTHER RELATED ACTIVITY:

An earthquake of Ml 1.4 occurred about the same time in Shrewsbury, U.K.
This is the first event listed in this area of the U.K. since a Ml 1.1 on
Sept. 5, 2001. This event lies at 63 degrees from the Kunlun Mts.

O: 25NOV2001 21: 9:19 52.7N 3.0W ML=1.4 BGS SHREWSBURY,SHROPSHIRE, U.K.

Source:
http://www.gsrg.nmh.ac.uk/recbrit.html

In Germany an Ml 1.1 occurred near S. Hellenthal at 61 degrees from
the Kunlun Mts. yesterday as well:

O: 25NOV2001 12:05:29 50.4N 6.4E ML=1.1 BNS S. HELLENTHAL, NO Germany

Source:
http://www.seismo.uni-koeln.de/events/index.htm

Finally on 24 November a Ml 3.0 was reported in Swizterland, also at
60 degrees from the Kunlun Mts. mainshock.

O: 24NOV2001 18:05:56 46.8N 10.0E ML=3.0 STR SUISSE (NORD-EST DE St.MO)

GLOBAL

Many moderate seismic events have been reported throughout the world
since our last report. In addition to the interesting series of shocks
in southern Europe, a minor swarm has also been occurring off the
East Coast of Honshu, Japan (Ms 4.1, 4.1, 5.2) and continuing in the
area of Northern Afghanistan (Mb 4.4). Other shocks have been reported
today from the eastern Caucasus region (Mb about 4); Papua New Guinea
(Mb 4.4); Southern Iran (Mb 5.0); Nicaragua (Mb 4.9) and off the
Coast of Oregon (Mb 4.4). A series of events in the Mb 4.5-5.5
range have also been listed by NEIS in the Kermadec region of New Zealand.

U.S./CANADA

The largest event in the U.S./Canada region since last report was
a Mb 4.4 off the coast of Oregon/No. California. But in general,
while Europe was erupting with seismic activity, the U.S. and Canada
were simmering with few events recorded.
In the California/Nevada region, a full 24 hours expired since the
last report during which no events of Ml>=2 were recorded in the
area of California. This is a fairly rare occurrence having occurred
only three times in the past two years. This quiet period was broken
by a Ml 2.8 at Parkfield this afternoon, however. This is one of only
eight events in the past two years within 30 km of Middle Mt. south
of Parkfield of Ml>=2.8 (4 each in 2000 and 2001). The Parkfield
event was preceded by a small Ml 1.9 foreshock. The Geysers were
another area where light activity continued through the day with
events of Ml 2.1 and smaller occurred. A Ml 2.4 occurred in SW Nevada
near Indian Springs. The only event of note in Southern California
was a Ml 2.0 near Joshua Tree. The region south of Joshua Tree may
become active in the next several days, however as effects from
the New Britain earthquake of Oct 31 and the recent geomagnetic storm
are felt in the area.
No earthquakes of Ml>=2 were reported from Utah or Montana or
the Rocky Mt. states, however a minor swarm does appear to be
starting in the northwest Yellowstone area at this writing. Several
citizens called regarding a felt earthquake in western Nebraska
yesterday morning, but no listing for this event has yet been made
by CERI or by NEIS.
PGC reported two earthquakes of Ml>=2 in the western Canada region
today. The first - a Ml 2.3 occurred in the Vancouver Island area, but
the larger a Ml 3.0 was recorded near Ft. McPherson, NT. With the
exception of the event off the Coast of Oregon yesterday, PNSN
has not reported any earthquakes of Ml>=2 in the past two days in
the Pacific Northwest area.
GSC did record a Ml 2.2 near Miramichi, New Brunswick in eastern
Canada yesterday morning as well.
The largest event in Alaska was a Ml 4.0 in the Gulf of Alaska
reported by NEIS. AEIC did not identify any events of Ml>=3 in
the past two days, as was also the case for HVO in Hawaii.

NEW ZEALAND

NEIS reported three earthquakes over the weekend in the Kermadec
Islands region of New Zealand with Mb 4.5, 4.9 and 5.1. IGNS, however
did not make any earthquake reports today. The on-line seismogram
from IGNS shows much light to moderate activity in the region. This
may be associated with the harmonic tremor at Ruapehu volcano on
North Island.

The IGNS on-line Seismometer can be found at:
http://www.gns.cri.nz/news/earthquakes/latest_drum.html

GEOMAGNETIC/SOLAR FIELDS

The geomagnetic field remained at quiet conditions today. There
were no solar flares of M- or X- class observed today. The most
likely strong seismicity from the geomagnetic storm on 24 November
is expected to occur between 28 Nov. and 1 Dec., 2001. The seismic
watch from yesterday's X1.1 flare will expire at midnight tonight.
SEC expected the proton storm to fade to background early on
November 27. Global and regional seismicity is expected to pick
up after that occurs. A new CME is expected to arrive on Nov. 28
which might help trigger a new round of strong seismicity.

For general space weather conditions see:
http://sec.noaa.gov/today.html
For Solar flare data see:
http://sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/events/20011126events.txt

TROPICAL STORMS

Tropical Storm Two has reached Category 1 Hurricane Status and
has been named Hurricane Olga. Olga is relatively stationary in
the Central Atlantic about 2000 km east of Georgia at this time
and is expected to remain near those coordinates for the next
three days at least. Some seismic activity on the northern Mid-Atlantic
Ridge, such as yesterday's Mb 4.8 and 5.0 may occur if Olga remains
in this area for an extended period.

No other tropical storms were reported from the world's oceans today.

TIDAL TRIGGERING (LUNAR)

Statistics have been done on many regions of the world in terms of
relationship of significant regional earthquakes with respect to lunar cycle.
Each report will summarize the most likely areas for tidal triggering
for the next day based on these statistics. It is expected
that tidal triggering will add an additional 0.5 - 1.0 units of
magnitude to events which are about to occur or will move these
events forward in time by up to seven days in the regions where
there is a statistical correlation between lunar phase and
earthquakes.

November 27 is the thirteenth day after the beginning of the lunar month.
Regions most likely to experience tidal triggering
on this day (With associated magnitude ranges; the percent change in
seismicity rate over background seismicity rate on this
day of the lunar month; statistical z-value and
significance level) are:

Region Magnitude range %change z-value Significance level

Central America MB>=4.0 10 2.1 0.05
Global MB>=6.0 15 2.5 0.03
Utah MB>=0.0 14 2.7 0.03

Regions expected to experience reverse triggering (i.e. they are
unlikely to experience a significant event at this period of the
lunar cycle) are:

Region Magnitude range %change z-value Significance level

Central California MB>=2.0 -8 -2.2 0.05

EARTHQUAKE LISTINGS

GLOBAL

NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA

O: 24Nov2001 13:18:14 32.8S 179.5W MB=4.5 NEIS SOUTH OF KERMADEC ISLANDS

O: 24Nov2001 11:02:27 29.1S 177.7W MB=4.9 NEIS KERMADEC ISL, NEW ZEALAND

O: 24Nov2001 05:26:21 30.5S 178.1W MB=5.1 NEIS KERMADEC ISL, NEW ZEALAND

ASIA

O: 26Nov2001 03:38:54 5.5S 146.7E MB=4.4 NEIS E NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G.

O: 25Nov2001 21:30:53 28.1N 57.5E MB=5.0 NEIS SOUTHERN IRAN

O: 25Nov2001 05:16:54 11.6N 140.6E MB=4.7 NEIS W. CAROLINE ISL

O: 24Nov2001 23:24:56 5.3S 129.3E MB=4.4 NEIS BANDA SEA

O: 24Nov2001 16:29:04 33.1N 141.0E MB=4.8 NEIS OFF E COAST HONSHU, JAPAN

O: 24Nov2001 05:46:24 25.4N 122.0E MB=4.9 NEIS TAIWAN REGION

O: 24Nov2001 05:14:18 19.2N 92.6E MB=4.1 NEIS BAY OF BENGAL

O: 24Nov2001 02:56:49 25.3N 125.2E MB=5.3 NEIS SW RYUKYU ISL., JAPAN

O: 22Nov2001 17:00:02 27.6N 57.7E MB=4.5 NEIS SOUTHERN IRAN

O: 22Nov2001 11:18:33 12.0N 142.8E MB=5.1 NEIS SOUTH OF MARIANA ISLANDS

O: 25NOV2001 21:30:50 28.8N 58.3E Mb=5.0 MIX SOUTHERN IRAN
O: 25Nov2001 21:30:49 27.6N 57.4E MS=4.5 GSR SOUTHERN IRAN

O: 24Nov2001 11:50:26 45.5N 130.2E MB=4.3 NEIS E. RUSSIA-N.E. CHINA BDR

O: 25Nov2001 10:36:13 52.3N 158.9E MB=4.5 NEIS NEAR E COAST OF KAMCHATKA

O: 25Nov2001 08:47:29 36.3N 94.0E MB=4.6 NEIS QINGHAI, CHINA

O: 25Nov2001 14:31:57 23.1N 125.3E MB=5.5 NEIS SW RYUKYU ISL., JAPAN

O: 26NOV2001 17:36:14 39.5N 143.1E Ms=4.1 GSSC OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU
O: 26NOV2001 13:22:11 39.7N 143.1E Ms=4.1 GSSC OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU
O: 26NOV2001 12:10:08 39.4N 143.0E Mb=5.2 MIX OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU

O: 26NOV2001 05:24:21 40.9N 48.6E Ms=3.7 GSSC EASTERN CAUCASUS

O: 26NOV2001 20:08:03 36.7N 71.1E M =4.4 GSSC AFGHANISTAN-TAJIKISTA
UP:22NOV2001 BBCA 35.6N 68.2E 13P (11-13-01) 3.7-5.0 Turkmenistan

CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA

O: 25NOV2001 18:06:16 13.6N 88.9W MC=4.1 CASC Guatemala, C.A.

O: 26Nov2001 10:12:56 11.1N 87.5W MB=4.9 NEIS NEAR COAST OF NICARAGUA
O: 26NOV2001 10:12:58 11.1N 87.5W MC=4.5 CASC NICARAGUA, C.A.

O: 26NOV2001 04:30:20 16.7N 99.7W ML=3.6 SSN COSTA DE GUERRERO, MEXICO
O: 25NOV2001 21:45:42 17.1N 100.3W ML=3.7 SSN GUERRERO, MEXICO
O: 25NOV2001 11:40:33 17.0N 100.2W ML=3.8 SSN COSTA DE GUERRERO, MEXICO

O: 25NOV2001 10:40:58 16.1N 97.1W ML=3.7 SSN OAXACA, MEXICO

O: 25NOV2001 18:06:16 13.0N 89.3W MC=4.2 SIS GUATEMALA, C.A.

O: 26NOV2001 05:17:17 10.9N 87.2W MC=3.9 SIS NICARAGUA, C.A.
O: 26NOV2001 10:12:49 10.6N 87.9W MC=4.4 SIS NICARAGUA, C.A.
O: 26NOV2001 14:59:58 11.6N 86.5W MC=3.8 SIS NICARAGUA, C.A.

O: 26NOV2001 22:00:03 8.8N 84.2W MC=3.9 CASC COSTA RICA, C.A.

EUROPE/AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST

O: 25Nov2001 19:34:21 37.9N 14.0E MB=5.1 NEIS SICILY, ITALY

O: 26Nov2001 05:03:22 34.9N 24.3E MB=5.2 NEIS CRETE, GREECE
O: 26Nov2001 04:21:45 34.8N 24.1E MB=4.6 NEIS CRETE, GREECE

O: 26Nov2001 00:56:55 43.5N 12.2E MB=4.6 NEIS CENTRAL ITALY
O: 26Nov2001 00:56:56 43.7N 12.2E ML=4.7 SED CENTRAL ITALY
O: 26Nov2001 00:57:05 43.6N 11.3E ML=4.5 LDG CENTRAL ITALY
O: 26NOV2001 00:57:05 43.6N 11.3E M =4.5 LDGM CENTRAL ITALY
O: 26NOV2001 00:57:01 43.6N 12.5E Ml=4.7 LED CENTRAL ITALY
Note: Central Italy is relatively quiet seismically. This is only
the fifth earthquake within 50 km of this epicenter of Mb>=4.5
since 1965. The others occurred on Aug 19, 1970 (Mb 5.1); Jan 5, 1982
(Mb 4.8); May 2, 1987 (Mb 4.9) the latest occurred more than 10 years
ago on Jan. 14, 1991 (Mb 4.9). A second rare earthquake had occurred
earlier in the day in the Sicily region of Italy.
This event may be an FFA from the Kunlun Mts. great quake. It
lies at 59 degrees from that event in a region where according to the
forecast FFA were expected:

"Secondary location where event tend to occur but are not
as large or as likely . MB>=4.8 considered likely in next
10 days.

Central Italy"

and

"59-61 degrees: .... No. Italy"

The earthquake also falls in an area which was nearly
sub-solar at the time of the X1.1 flare on 25 November. The region
within 20 degrees longitude of 34E was considered particularly
vulnerable to triggering effects as noted in yesterday's report:

O: 26NOV2001 00:58:11 47.0N 12.5E ML=3.7 BGR NORTHERN ITALY/AUSTRIA
O: 26NOV2001 00:57:28 45.9N 12.0E ML=4.3 BGR NORTHERN ITALY

O: 24NOV2001 11:06:26 63.6N 19.3W ML=3.0 ISO Iceland

O: 25NOV2001 20:11:20 38.7N 26.6E ML=3.7 NOA AEGEAN SEA
O: 26NOV2001 02:41:56 39.0N 24.3E ML=3.1 NOA AEGEAN SEA

O: 26NOV2001 04:21:46 34.7N 24.1E ML=4.3 NOA CRETE
O: 26NOV2001 05:03:23 34.8N 24.1E ML=5.0 NOA CRETE

O: 20NOV2001 21:30:10 49.5N 6.8E ML=1.9 BNS LEBACH, Germany

O: 26NOV2001 05:06:22 44.1N 11.0E Ml=3.2 LDG NORTHERN ITALY
O: 26NOV2001 23:16:36 43.8N 12.8E Ml=3.0 SED CENTRAL ITALY
O: 26NOV2001 12:34:10 43.5N 12.5E Ml=3.8 MIX CENTRAL ITALY

O: 24Nov2001 09:28:09 27.0S 26.9E MB=4.4 NEIS SOUTH AFRICA

OCEANIA

O: 25Nov2001 13:03:27 45.7N 27.8W MB=4.9 NEIS N MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE

U.S/CANADA

CALIFORNIA/NEVADA

O: 25Nov2001 17:27:11 42.1N 126.8W MB=4.4 NEIS OFF COAST OF OREGON
O: 25NOV2001 17:27:16 41.9N 126.8W ML>3.7 PNSN OFF COAST OF NO. CALIFORNIA

O: 26NOV2001 16:12:58 34.0N 116.3W ML=2.0 SCSN S of Joshua Tree, CA

O: 26NOV2001 14:06:15 36.8N 116.0W ML=2.4 NCSN NW of Indian Springs, NV

O: 26NOV2001 19:52:58 35.9N 120.5W ML=2.8 SCSN NW of Parkfield, CA
O: 26NOV2001 13:15:01 36.0N 120.5W ML=1.9 SCSN NW of Parkfield, CA

O: 26NOV2001 21:19:19 38.8N 122.8W ML=2.1 NCSN NW of The Geysers, CA

PACIFIC NORTHWEST/CANADA

O: 23NOV2001 10:15:18 51.2N 131.1W ML=2.4 PGC SOUTH OF MORESBY ISLAND, B.C.

O: 23NOV2001 15:36:45 53.9N 132.5W ML=2.2 PGC NORTHERN GRAHAM ISLAND, B.C.

O: 25NOV2001 21:03:42 48.0N 123.0W ML=1.0 PNSN NW of Poulsbo, WA

O: 26NOV2001 13:01:11 66.1N 134.6W ML=3.1 PGC 2 km S Ft. McPherson NT

O: 26NOV2001 06:44:55 49.0N 128.3W ML=2.4 PGC 8 km W Tofino BC

O: 25NOV2001 20:56:56 53.8N 132.2W ML=1.9 PGC 3 km SSW Massett BC

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA

O: 26NOV2001 11:11:52 47.7N 113.8W MD=0.8 MBMG MONTANA

O: 26NOV2001 06:05:57 44.8N 111.0W MD=0.0 MBMG MONTANA
O: 26NOV2001 03:43:03 44.7N 111.0W MD=0.0 MBMG MONTANA

O: 11NOV2001 08:21:51 43.9N 114.4W ML=2.0 MBMG 55 km SE of Stanley, ID, MT

O: 07NOV2001 11:14:11 44.2N 114.0W ML=2.6 MBMG 35 km SE of Challis, ID, MT

O: 04NOV2001 14:02:15 46.9N 114.3W ML=1.4 MBMG near Frenchtown, MT

O: 08NOV2001 03:40:52 47.2N 113.2W ML=1.6 MBMG 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, MT

O: 10NOV2001 04:22:57 47.4N 113.9W ML=2.4 MBMG 15 km SE of Ronan, MT

EASTERN U.S./CANADA

O: 25NOV2001 04:35:06 47.0N 66.5W MN=2.2 GSC Miramichi, N. B.

ALASKA

O: 25Nov2001 07:24:58 54.2N 153.8W ML=4.0 NEIS SOUTH OF ALASKA