Worldwide earthquake data was acquired and shown graphically as a function of time. These trends show an increase in the magnitude and a significant increase in the frequency (magnitude > 5.5) of earthquakes worldwide. It is important to note the recent M9.0 earthquake in Japan and that earthquake frequency is extrapolated for 2011. The earthquake in Japan has probably lead to an overestimation of the yearly earthquake frequency for 2011. Nevertheless, these graphs clearly show an alarming worldwide trend of increasing earthquake strength and frequency. These results are in agreement with the USGS statistics page, which shows an increase in the frequency of stronger earthquakes (M > 5.0). As was mentioned in the main page, these events were prophesied in the Holy Scriptures. It is important to note the sharp increase in earthquake frequency during the month of March 2011.

These trends also show that the depth of earthquakes has diminished, they occur closer to the Earth's surface. Shallow earthquakes occur along fault lines and are due to the accumulation of stress. Earthquake waves can also propagate far enough to trigger other earthquakes; this may explain the noted increase in earthquakes.

Certain have stated that the increased frequency of earthquakes is due to the increased number of detection instruments installed worldwide. This would cause more sensitive earthquakes to be measured. However, these graphs show an increase in stronger earthquakes; it is also important to note that the earthquake Richter scale is base-10 logarithmic (Wikipedia). The fact that the world's population has increased doesn't help, more people are affected by these events. There is increased media avaiability and attention. However, due to recent events, it is now easy to convince even the average person, that there are more and more strong earthquakes occuring worldwide:



The M7.0 that struck Haiti in 2010 occurred in an active zone. However, the last earthquake to strike this region, with the same intensity, occurred in 1897 (Boston.com). The changing nature of earthquakes is catching many people off-guard. The recent earthquake in Japan (M9.0) was also of significance, as noted by USGS "The March 11, 2011 earthquake far surpassed other post-1900 plate-boundary thrust-fault earthquakes in the southern Japan Trench, none of which attained M8. A predecessor may have occurred on July 13, 869, when the Sendai area was swept by a large tsunami that Japanese scientists have identified from written records and a sand sheet."

The strongest earthquakes that occcured in 2004 and 1981 will be compared. The M9.1 that occured in December 2004 had approximately 560*10E16J of energy; the M7.6 that occured in 1981 had only about 3.4*10E16J (see Wikipedia link for Ricther scale). The M9.1 released 165 times more energy than the M7.6.


A joint NASA-USGS (2004) study shows that melting glaciers may be increasing earthquake activity (NASA). As mentioned in the article, melting glaciers would change the load on the Earth's crust. As a glacier melts, the load would decrease at this relative point; melted water would flow into the ocean and increase the load over a different surface. It would be this change and/or even reversal of loading that would induce stress in the Earth's crust and increase earthquake activity. Based on these results, melting glaciers should be closely monitored National Snow and Ice Data Center. These results would seem to indicate that the water level need not change significantly to cause significant disruptions. These results would also indicate that the Earth's crust is not static and robust. Finally, areas that have low earthquke activity may become much more active due to melting glaciers.